RECAP: Fremantle Dockers earn revenge against Ross Lyon’s St Kilda at Optus Stadium
Fremantle equal their best streak under Justin Longmuir with a thrilling sixth-straight victory against the Saints.
The Saints laid a Melbourne ambush for the Dockers in their last meeting earlier this year, handing the harbour club a stinging defeat.
But despite owning the contest and looking like stealing an unlikely road victory, Fremantle’s cream rose to the top in the final quarter to seal victory.
Recap all the action from Optus Stadium in our blog.
Voss trouble?
Pat Voss could be set for another spell on the sidelines.
He picked up the Saints defender, Windhager, and dumped him into the turf.
It didn’t look like the head hit the turf but the action was dangerous and Windhager has been called off the ground for an HIA test.
FRE 36, STK 32
All-Aus honours incoming for Clark?
Fremantle star Jordan Clark has continued his incredible 2025 season with a superb first half against St Kilda tonight.
The dashing defender has a team-high 14 disposals and has taken six important marks to quell the Saints’ forays forward.
It comes after Dockers great Paul Hasleby called for Clark to recieve his maiden All-Australian blazer this year in his column for The West Australian this week.
HALFTIME: Fremantle 35, ST Kilda 32
There is not a lot of action going on but both sides are making up for that with goals of the highest class.
However, the tactical battle is with the Saints at the break.
They are out numbering the Dockers midfield and even winning the ball from centre clearances when it is an even one-on-one.
The Dockers have had nearly 20 more hitouts but are losing the clearances 24-11.
The engine room for the Dockers have just one player in the top five clearances in Serong.
Clark leads the Dockers for disposals with 14 but there are four Saints ahead of him.
Mason Wood hit the post on the siren to keep the Dockers ahead but the home side are perhaps a little lucky.
In saying that, Fremantle’s fleet of fast-footed attackers are deadly.
REMARKABLE!!
Marshall!
The Saints’ big man has kicked a ridiculous goal.
Battling Darcy in the goalsquare for a ruck contest, he plows his boot into the ball up and it sails straight through the middle!
FRE 28, STK 30
Tough watch
As most Ross Lyon matches are, it’s a tough watch.
The space clogging and slow play are an eye sore but it is yet again working against the Dockers.
Henry pops through the Saints’ second in a row of the quarter and puts his finger to his lips as the crowd boo strongly.
FRE 22, STK 24
Great chase!
The one per centers are where the Dockers can make the difference today and Treacy is leading the way.
Wanganeen-Milera bolted out of defence with Treacy copping a big shepard.
But the hulking forward kept going and as Bolton forced the Saint to bulk and change direction, Treacy caught his man from behind after an 80-metre chase.
He let him know about it to and a scuffle broke out.
FRE 22, STK 11
QUARTER-TIME: Fremantle 14, St Kilda 11
There are plenty of similarities between this match and the last time they met but the Dockers’ transition game is working better today.
The Saints should have done better with all of their chances, 1.5 not a good enough return for their efforts.
The scrum-like numbers in the contest are making the game a slog for the most part but when the game frees up the skills are decent.
Banfield is relishing his role in defence and is taking damaging kicks with confidence while Clark continues on his merry way and even had a chance at goal.
Marshall is having an influence around the ground, dragging Darcy and Jackson deep into defence while also colecting nine disposals, three tackles and four clearances.
He has just three hitouts, though.
Long memories
Liam Henry is copping the boos from the Fremantle faithful.
The purple army were late filing in but they are making themselves known in the first term.
FRE 8, STK 10
Ruck-date
Fremantle have made a very strong start in the ruck against Marshall.
The Dockers are winning the hitouts 10-2.
However, they are down on clearances given how many extra players the Saints have in the contest, with many taking an inside position.
FRE 8, STK 9
Numbers game
The Saints are sending overwhelming numbers to the contest and then relying on their kicking to prevent the Dockers from getting the ball.
The Dockers are looking very dangerous on the fly but their one-on-one defence is shaky.
Will Longmuir pull any new levers or back his tried-and-true method?
FRE 7, STK 9
