RECAP: Fremantle Dockers claim fifth consecutive win against Essendon at Optus Stadium
Fremantle host Essendon at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, as the club look to claim their fifth consecutive win.
The Dockers have made two changes with Sean Darcy (managed) and Sam Switkowski (hamstring) replaced by Nathan O’Driscoll and James Aish. The pair have been named on an extended bench alongside Neil Erasmus, Nat Fyfe and Murphy Reid.
In Darcy’s absence, Luke Jackson will be the sole ruck against debutant Vigo Visentini.
Visentini replaces veteran Todd Goldstein (managed). Ben Hobbs also comes into the starting side with Archer Day-Wicks omitted.
Bouncedown is at 6:10pm AWST.
Follow all the action in our live blog below.
That’s all, folks
In the end a comprehensive win for the Dockers who keep rolling on to a fifth straight win.
Can they make it six in a row against the Saints? We’ll be here to find out
J-Lo gives the green light for Bolton’s edge
ANALYSIS
Nat Fyfe won’t be the seasoning on top of the midfield but might be the sledgehammer they need.
Match Report
One, two, three, four... high five.
No, it’s not the kids singing group, but Dockers fans would be as happy as a toddler dancing in their living room after producing their fifth win in a row for only the second time in the past 10 seasons.
Three-word analysis
How would you sum up each Docker in three words?
Read our thoughts and have your say - though it’d be hard to argue with the ‘Three Brownlow votes’ we’ve got written alongside Luke Jackson’s name!
FULL TIME FRE 16.8 (104) ESS 9.9 (63)
Fremantle win five in a row for the first time since 2022!
Essendon played well in patches but overall the Dockers were far to classy in the 41-point win.
Serong finishes with 35 touches and seven clearances but Luke Jackson is best on ground for his 11 clearances three goals and 48hit-outs in one of his best ever games.
For Essendon Nate Caddy had a highlight filled night but they were smashed around the contest which was the difference tonight.
The Dockers jump up into sixth on the ladder and will be aiming for six in a row when they face the Saints away next week.
Dockers break the ton
It’s Frederick with the freaky footwork to dance through the Essendon defenders and snap his shot as it tumbles through on the bounce.
It sees the Dockers past 100 points for the fourth time this season,
Bombers make it two in a row
Bailey Banfield bites off an extremely risky kick and Lual spoils to turnover as Jade Gresham snaps through a goal from 35m
The margin is back to 33-points with eight minutes to go.
Lual gets one back for the Bombers
Essendon go up the wing with speed and Lual gets on the end of it and is probably unlocuky not to be wared 50 after Wagner smacks the ball out of his hand.
It doesn’t matter though as he nails the shot from 40
FRE 15.5 (95) ESS 8.8 (56)
Fyfe subbed out
As expected he comes off for Aish.
He finishes with 11 touches and one clearance.
O’Driscoll gets his first goal on the comeback from injury and he loves it as the Dockers are out to a 44-point lead.
FRE 15.4 (94) ESS 7.8 (50)
