RECAP: Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy return as Fremantle Dockers face Gold Coast Suns test
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe played his first game of the season against Gold Coast on Saturday, as ruckman Sean Darcy also returned to the side.
The Dockers made three changes with defender Josh Draper replacing captain Alex Pearce, who is out with a leg injury. Cooper Simpson (shoulder) and Isaiah Dudley (personal reasons) also missed the clash at People First Stadium.
The Suns were red-hot, coming off three consecutive wins and an impressive 8-2 record as the club firms for a maiden finals appearance, but could not stand up to the Dockers.
Fremantle had also bounced back from an inconsistent start with strong victories over Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide over the past fortnight to sit 6-5.
Top-10 pick Leo Lombard also made his debut for Gold Coast, with Malcolm Rosas and Ethan Read omitted.
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Until next time!
Fremantle’s season appears back on track with a major victory over a top-four team in the wet and on the road.
The club will take a rest next week with their bye and will make the most of it after three-straight wins.
We will be back tomorrow as the Eagles take on Geelong on WA Day eve at Optus Stadium.
Until then, farewell!
Tick of approval!
It means plenty!
If anybody doubted Justin Longmuir’s passion for the Dockers, this video probably dispells those doubts.
The coache’s reaction to Bolton’s run-down tackle and then Amiss sealing the game with a goal.
Three-word analysis
Fremantle pulled off a heart-stopping victory to cause an upset in a wet and wild win over Gold Coast on Saturday. Read our three-word analysis of every Docker.
FULL TIME: Gold Coast 64, Fremantle 75
And it all came down to Bolton running down a defender, stripping the ball and setting up Amiss to kick the sealer.
It was also his first goal.
It’s three wins in a row for the Dockers and they take down a top-four-placed side.
Anderson had 39 disposals and 12 clearances for Gold Coast but it still was not enough as Clark and Brayshaw ended with 30 each for Fremantle.
Flanders again!
The Dockers are clinging on but are under the pump now.
Powell pumped the ball inside the Suns’ 50 and they locked it in for a stoppage in the square.
It was knocked into the pocket and somehow Flanders has toe-poked an unbelievable goal from an acute angle!
One. Goal. In. It.
GCS 63, FRE 69
Late drama
Banfield was running around the back of a free kick but stopped when the Suns forward faked a handball and the umpire pinged him for a 50-metre penalty.
It made it a certain goal to Flanders.
GCS 57, FRE 69
Game-high lead
Switkowski’s clever kick finds Bolton in the pocket for a chest mark and the former Tiger makes no mistakes with the set shot.
It’s the third major for Bolton and he is coming back to haunt former coach Hardwick.
Bolton has 19 disposals and two clearances to go with the goals.
GCS 49, FRE 69
Voss hurt?
Voss tried to rag doll a defender and got wrapped up awkwardly before going to ground.
He got up sore and may have hurt his wrist.
GCS 49, FRE 63
Fyfe on!
Fyfe starts the last term on the field and has two touches straight away.
Swallow also enters the game for the Suns at the expense of debutant Lombard.
GCS 49, FRE 63
