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.
Luke Jackson puts Freo in front
Visinteni coughs the ball up at half forward, Muprhy Reid swoops and hits a beautiful outside kick to find Jackson uncontested.
He nails hit to put Freo back in front.
FRE 3.1 (19) ESS 2.2 (14)
Josh Treacy breaks his goal drought
Pat Voss takes an uncontested mark but Treacy wins the free kick for a marking infringement about 40m out.
Having not kicked a goal in his last four games Treacy is delighted to belt this one through and reduce the margin to one point.
ESS 2.2 (14) FRE 2.1 (13)
Kako gets the Bombers second
It’s Nate Caddy again with another killer kick inside 50. The Dockers outnumber the Bombers 4-3 but Caddy pulls the kick across his body at the last moment allowing Kako to mark in front of Jordan Clark.
From 40m he nails the kick to put the Bombers back in front
ESS 2.1 (13) FRE 1.1 (7)
Bolton on the board
For the first time tonight the Dockers are able to force repeat stoppages inside their forward 50.
No one checks Bolton at the throw-in and he runs through the contest to snap Freo’s first goal.
FRE 1.1 (7) ESS 1.1 (7)
Peter Wright with the opening goal
Laclan Blakiston does a great spoil to deny Jye Amiss a mark inside 50.
The Bombers go up the wing and lock the ball inside 50. The Dockers repel the first attack but Nate Caddy laces a pass to Peter Wright in the pocket.
On a tight angle he guides a through and the Bomers are up early.
ESS 1.1 (7) FRE 0.1 (1)
Scrappy start
Both sides have executed some fairly dodgy kicks to see attacks break down at both ends.
Shai Bolton gets the first score of the night but it just doesn’t come back enough from a tight angle to hit the post.
The Bombers go through the middle but Darcy Parish’s snap on goal is well wide to sneak through for a behind.
FRE 0.1 ESS 0.1
Here we go
Fyfe is starting in the forward line, Shai Bolton, Brayshaw and Serong in the middle. Zach Merrett is on the wing for the Bombers.
Essendon get the first centre clearance but Luke Ryan intercepts and the attack breaks down.
Visentini lands a big bump on Josh Treacy and is up and about on debut.
The turf
With the Eagles playing on Sunday at State of Origin in the pouring rain last night there were concerns over how the turf has held up.
However, it must be said while not pristine, the oval looks in reasonable shape all things considered and has looked far worse in the past.
Meanwhile, across town...
As Freo fans wait for this one to start, there’s big news that’s just been confirmed at the Optus Stadium co-tenants West Coast.
Oscar Allen is set for surgery off the back of Sunday’s injury against Carlton, with the procedure set to end his season.
The big question now becomes whether Allen has played his final game in blue and gold.
FINAL TEAMS: Fyfe full game!
The big news from Optus Stadium is that Nat Fyfe is IN for a full game after starting the previous two as Freo’s sub.
James Aish fills that role tonight, with no late changes for the home side.
Archie Roberts is Essendon’s sub.
