RECAP: Fremantle Dockers sunk by single point in outrageous elimination final thriller
Fremantle’s season has ended in the ultimate heartbreak, sunk by a golden point by retiring Suns hero David Swallow.
Recap all the action as it happened in our blog.
Breaking point?
It’s now or never for the Dockers.
They appear on the edge of breaking as the Suns push but they are still only 26 points down.
If the changes are coming it’s now or never.
FRE 40, GCS 66
The lift
The Dockers are looking for a lift and there’s a few stars who could do it.
Bolton has had 12 touches and four clearances but is struggling to make an impact in the forward half so could move to the wing to be the Dockers’ user and deliver.
Sean Darcy has just six touches and 11 hitouts even with help against Witts and could be the man to get subbed out for Fyfe who is warming up.
Clark’s run also needs to return for Fremantle, he has been forced to defend by the Suns in a crafty coaching move.
O’Meara is also having a 200th to forget at the moment but if he can turn it on for half an hour, he could be the milestone saviour.
FRE 40, GCS 64
Shark fin?
Long gets the goal back with a beautiful goal with the outside of the boot and give the Dockers a fins up.
Freo fans are chanting as their team tries to work back into the contest.
This is feeling dangerous for the home side as the Suns have every answer.
FRE 38, GCS 63
Much needed!
Treacy gives the Dockers the first of the second half just 30 seconds in.
The big forward turned rover as the ball was knocked from Fredericks hands and he made it look easy.
He gathered in one go, took a step to the right and snapped the ball home.
FRE 38, GCS 57
WA player watch
There is some tough news out of the Giants with WA product Darcy Jones rupturing his ACL for the second time in his career.
The best rookie goin’ round
Dockers tense
There were plenty of meetings going on in the Freo rooms and Fyfe took a role with the midfield.
What changes do they need to make, Dockers fans?
HALF-TIME: Fremantle 32, Gold Coast 57
This match has all the hall marks of a classic but the Dockers are going to have to come from behind after the visitors jagged the last four majors of the half, prompting Gold Coast chants.
Fremantle have gone inside 50 27 times, three more than the Suns, but have just seven scoring shots to show for it, even from six marks in that area.
They have slightly more turnovers but both teams are playing strong, pressure footy and it’s just conversion seperating them.
Serong has been massive with 16 disposals, five tackles and six clearances while both Anderson and Rowell are on his hammer with serious contributions.
Witts is winning the ruck battle and still doing damage around the ground which is an area Justin Longmuir can instantly point to as needing improvement at the main break.
In the Dockers favour is they overturned a 40-point lead at half-time when they beat the Dogs in their 2022 elimination final.
Pure courage
Clark looks worse for wear after coming back with the flight to spoil a long ball into the Suns’ 50 and flipping over in midair.
He landed on his back and neck and needed to be checked over by medical staff.
However, it stopped a goal and he gets back up without even coming to the bench.
The stop also allows the Dockers to get to their attacking 50 from the kick in.
FRE 32, GCS 32
Mind the tackle!
The Dockers are on fire with their tackling.
They are catching the Suns out with their aggressive pressure around the ground.
The Dockers lead the tackle count 32-17 and get their latest goal after hemming the Suns into a corner and winning the ball back.
FRE 32, GCS 31
