Recap: Fremantle Dockers smashed in Marvel disaster as Ross Lyon fires up St Kilda
Fremantle are wary of a fired-up St Kilda with their former coach Ross Lyon on the warpath. Can the Dockers avoid another Melbourne slip-up and push into the top eight?
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Key Events
HALF TIME ST KILDA 4.3 (27) FREMANTLE 1.1 (7)
The Dockers were kept to just one behind that quarter although they did at least even up the territory towards the end.
“They’ve thrown a really good punch to start,” Brayshaw says.
“We got to spend more time over the footy and really bodyline the ball.”
The pressure has been ‘suffocating’ and the loss of Young will not help their cause.
The clearances have ballooned out to 27-11 in St Kilda’s favour and they are plus 23 in contestred possessions.
Fremantle are leading tackles 52-48 but that’s more about how little they’ve had the ball at times.
WA debutant High Boxshall has started well with 11 touches and Freo can not win the ball at the coalface.
Quinton Narkle on
Young is a massive loss for the Dockers having been one of their better performers on what has been an otherwise disappointing start.
The Saints have the ball locked in their forward 50 after fending off the Dockers repeat attacks.
Young OUT with injury
Hayden Young his hobbling off the ground with what looks to be a hamstring concern.
He missed the start of this season with hamstring issues and this could be a huge blow.
Dockers fail to convert
Fremantle has failed to score from his last 13 inside 50s. Michael Frederick breaks that run but it’s a behind as he sprays his shot from 40m out.
After repeat entries Frederick’s miss allows Saints to set up their structure and go end to end but the kick is across the face of goal.
Saints bringing the heat
Wagner, this time caught holding the ball as the Saints go forward again. Brennan Cox is able to intercept this time but the Dockers have barely got the ball forward of the square this half.
Josh Treacy finally gives them the option, then Ryan gets it on the far wing. He bombs it in, and Darcy Wilson floats across to intercept.
Dockers floudnering
St Kilda are starting to convert their dominance into score.
They lock the ball in the forward half again this time forcing the turnover at half forward.
Darcy Wilson takes the mark directly in front of goal and converts.
STK 4.3 (27) FRE 1.0 (6)
Mitch Owens gets the Saints' third
St Kilda fore the turnover at half back with their pressure and the Dockers are caught in transition.
Mitch Owens is the spare in the forad 50 and this time the Saints find the target.
He converts at the Saints open up a break.
Second quarter underway
Andrew Brayshaw is caught holding the ball after running into a teammate on the defensive 50.
Jack Higgins launches but it’s rushed through for a behind.
QUARTER TIME ST KILDA 2.2 (14) FREMANTLE 1.0 (6)
Fremantle can consider themselves lucky they only trail by eight points after they were dominated that quarter.
Jye Amiss had a late chance on goal but was run down and caught holding the ball just before the siren sounded.
The Dockers midfield has failed to exert their influence with Caleb Serong registering just two touches while Josh Treacy copped a knock and looks sore.
Matt Johnson has continued his good form with nine touches but they’re -5 in clearances and -9 on contested possessions.
Both teams laid more than 20 tackles that quarter with any free flowing footy at a premium.
Not great footy
St Kilda are dominating but they can’t put it on the scoreboard with the ball tumbling through contest after contest.
There’s been 38 tackles this quarter. But Cox in a two on one can’t keep his feet and the Saints go out the back and Jack Higgins dribbles through the goal.
Finally St Kilda get some reward for dominance.
STK 2.2 (14) FRE 1.0 (6)
