RECAP: Fremantle Dockers win crucial clash against Adelaide Crows

The Dockers played a touching tribute to WWII veteran Arthur Leggett during the final break.

Bagpipes rang out across a darkened stadium as fans lit their phones.

Tonight’s medal for best on ground has also been renamed the Arthur Leggett Medal after his recent passing at the incredible age of 106.

Mr Leggett has played special parts in previous Len Hall tribute games.

It became a grind in the third term but the Dockers took their chances better than the Crows.

Adelaide actually produced enough scoring shots to be back in the contest but could not make any have significant impact.

Laird was restricted to just four touches in that term while Brayshaw has gone to work like he did against Melbourne.

He has 25 disposals, four tackles and five clearances to go with 293 metres gained.

Also, much to the delight of the fans, Reid got a goal with his second disposal of the night, sliding one through on the run and celebrating in style.

The Crows look about done but the Dockers will need to keep the foot down.

Murphy Reid has still had just one touch tonight while Isaiah Dudley has just two.

It might be time for Narkle to get a run.

FRE 67, ADE 37

Adelaide register their third behind of the quarter as Thilthorpe is off the field with what looks to be a painful hand injury.

It’s either a wrist or finger problem but it’s concerning for Adelaide.

FRE 66, ADE 37

Fremantles’ lead jumps out to 31 as Frederick makes the most of a free kick for a dangerous tackle.

On the boundary, 35 metres out, he steps back into play and swings a right-foot banana through the goals.

However, it was earned by the defence who held firm despite Thilthorpe and Walker getting involved in the play.

FRE 66, ADE 35

The Dockers will feel more comfortable as McDonald gets the first goal of the second half.

Fremantle won the contest in the forward pocket with will and a kick squirts out to the veteran who takes a strong grab in front of the sticks.

FRE 60, ADE 34

The Dockers got the margin out to 36 points early in the second term but three goals in a row to Adelaide, including two to Riley Thilthorpe, has pegged the home side back.

Fremantle had their chances to blow the lead out to 50 points but have lacked the ruthless edge they need to put the game away early.

Laird is starting to influence the centre contest with 17 touches while Serong now has 15 touches but 12 are handballs.

He did have a great moment where he flattened a tackler and burst through another with a handball.

Outside of Laird the Dockers dominate the numbers and while Longmuir will be pleased with the first half, he will be reminding his side to finish the job as soon as possible.

Treacy spoke to channel 7 on the way off at the main break.

“Really good response (to last week) through 60 minutes. We probably should have a couple more on the board,” he said.

After finally earning a Rising Star nod last week Murphy Reid has made a quiet start tonight.

Dudley is also struggling to get into the play but if Fremantle can find a way to involve these two going forward they could break the game wide open.

Bolton continues to be electric, finding space out the back.

However, his kicking is letting him down tonight, missing Amiss twice and spraying a shot on the run he would nail eight times out of 10.

FRE 53, ADE 27

Adelaide has evened the contest in the last five minutes but when the Dockers get loose in space they look far too quick.

It will behove the Dockers to lower their eyes going inside 50 as well with Treacy now drawing at least three defenders to every contest he goes for.

Frederick has had two chances, one on the run and a set shot, but has failed to make the Crows pay.

FRE 52, ADE 21