AFL live updates: Fremantle Dockers take on Melbourne Demons at MCG
Fremantle are hoping to make the most of a rare MCG visit with finals fast approaching as the ladder leaders take on a Melbourne team looking to keep their top-four chances alive. Follow all the action live!
Fremantle are hoping to make the most of a rare MCG visit with finals fast approaching as the ladder leaders take on a Melbourne team looking to keep their top-four chances alive.
It’s the first time in more than a year the Dockers have taken on a top-half side at the MCG and will be without captain Alex Pearce, who was managed for the clash.
Luke Jackson and Max Gawn will go head to head in what could be the Dockers final visit to the ‘home of footy’ until the last day in September.
Follow all the action live!
Jake Santa Maria is reporting live.
Chandler hits back
Melbourne needed that as they keep the ball locked in their forward half as Chandler takes a mark and converts from directly in front.
Entertaining first 15 mins so far.
FRE 4.1 (25) MEL 2.1 (13)
Amiss gets his first
The kicking inside 50 from Fremantle has been elite to start this contest as Amiss gobbles up a simple mark from 40m out.
He converts and there’s no sign of MCG nerves!
FRE 4.1 (25) MEL 1.1 (7)
Voss has two
Lace out from Caleb Serong again and he’s on fire early as Voss has his second to give the Dockers an early break.
FRE 3.1 (19) MEL 1.1 (7)
Dudley’s on the board
Aggressive kick out of defence from Melbourne but Luke Jackson is in the middle to intercept to send the Dockers forward.
Loose ball is missed by Shai Bolton’s soccer as Voss gets it to Dudley who snaps from a tight angle to get his first.
FRE 2.1 (13) MEL 1.1 (7)
The Pony’s off to the races early
Good pressure at half back from Fremantle as they force the turnover as Caleb Serong takes advantage.
He kicks into space for Pat Voss to run onto and take an uncontested mark and his kick his perfect.
He’s kicked 11 goals in his past two games here and he’s got an early one today.
But the Demons get a perfect respose through Pickett who burst through the middle and handballs to Tom Sparrow who kiks on the run.
FRE 1.0 (6) MEL 1.0 (6)
Here we go
Melbourne have only lost one game at the MCG this season.
Pickett goes straight to Bolton in the middle as Max Gawn wins the first ruck battle to send the Demons inside 50 where there’s a a stoppage.
Brayshaw speaks
“We’re focused on ourselves, our team defence and contest and if we do that, the ball movement will come,” he tells Fox Footy.
“If you want to win it all, you have to be able to play well here.
“We’ll try and own the corridor as much as we can and if they go around us so be it.
“Gawn is such a gun player but we’ve got some good mids in there so it should be a good contest.”
No late changes
Both teams will go in as named, with the only change for Fremantle from last week being Brennan Cox coming in for Alex Pearce.
Dockers assistant Jade Rawlings said the side’s ability to not rely on their captain has been a big driver of their success.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our coverage as ladder-leading Fremantle take on a Melbourne side still gunning for the top four.
The Dockers would love to get the job done against a fellow contender at the MCG ahead of what could be a history-making finals campaign.
A win would also secure the Dockers the minor premiership with two rounds left to play.
