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.
Voss sets off!
Another centre clearance win for the Dockers and while Voss doesn’t clunks the mark he keeps the ball alive and runs on to kick the snap.
He sprints off to celebrate with the crowd as he soaks up getting one against his old club.
FRE 14.3 (87) ESS 7.8 (50)
May breaks the Bombers drought
Heath Chapman is gang tackled and coughs up the ball at half back as Parish finds Archer May uncontested.
He gets his second goal to reduce the amrgin to 31 points.
FRE 13.3 (81) ESS 7.8 (50)
End of Q3 FRE 13.3 (81) ESS 6.8 (44)
The Dockers dominate the end of that term to hold a commanding 37-point margin heading into the final change.
Their lead is largely centred around the work of Jackson and Serong who has two goals along with 26 touches and six clearances.
Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark have also had plenty of ball intercepting across half back as the Bombers score just three behinds for the quarter.
Nat Fyfe has had just eight touches and with the game almost out of reach he may be the one who makes way for James Aish.
Freo are rolling
Essendon had hung around but they look to have given up the ghost in this third quarter.
Another centre clearance wins see the Dockers roll forward Brayshaw is on the end of it this time and nails his first for the night and the margin is out to 37 points.
FRE 13.3 (81) ESS 6.8 (44)
Jackson with another
Jackson wins a holding free kick just inside 50 and he leans back to nail his third goal.
He’s up to 33 hitouts, five clearances and three goals.
Caleb Serong has his second
It’s not been great footy so far this quarter with plenty of skill errors and misskicks.
But Nathan O’Driscoll shows some bravery in a massive clash with Will Settrefield, who’s been in the wars tonight.
Serong streams through half forward and kicks his second goal on the run.
FRE 11.3 (69) ESS 6.8 (44)
Treacy has three
Essendon again go backwards in defence and eventually turn the ball over.
Freo have the numbers and the ball is centred to Treacy who’s alone 30m out. He kicks his third to get the margin back to 22 points.
FRE 10.3 (63) ESS 6.5 (41)
Essendon make their sub
Duursma is off with hamstring tightness as Archie Perkins comes on to start the second half.
HALF TIME FRE 9.3 (57) ESS 6.5 (41)
Visentini lays a massive tackle to stop Matt Johnson on goal but he stays down and may have injured himself in the process possibly his shoulder.
The Bombers will feel pretty good having trailed by 29 points to bring it back to 16 after Freo looked like they were going top blow the game open.
Nate Caddy has been superb while Visentini has been good and hopefully avoided injury.
Luke Jackson and Caleb Serong are still dominating out the middle for Freo.
Duursma brings out the bow and arrow
This has been a strong finish from the Bombers as Zach Merrett shows close to break away on the wing and hit the kick to Duursma 40m out.
He nails the shot and the margin is back below three goals.
FRE 9.3 (57) ESS 6.5 (41)
