Dockers burn wayward Eagles
West Coast were made to pay dearly for their wayward kicking as Fremantle continued their recent western derby dominance with a thrilling 13-point AFL triumph at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles led by 23 points at half-time but it should have been so much more, with their atrocious kicking on goal, they booted 2.7 in the second quarter, keeping Fremantle in the match.
And inspired by Byron Schammer (30 possessions), Stephen Hill (two goals), Paul Hasleby and Paul Duffield, the Dockers stormed back into the contest, with an inspired second half helping them snatch the 13.9 (87) to 9.20 (74) win.
Hasleby, who collected 35 possessions, won the Ross Glendinning medal as best afield, the third time he had taken the award out.
But Hill, Duffield, Schammer, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden and Aaron Sandilands were also crucial in the win.
It was the Dockers' fourth straight derby win, but the overall ledger still favours West Coast 18-11.
Matt Priddis, Dean Cox, Shannon Hurn, Adam Selwood and David Wirrpanda were prominent for the Eagles but in the end it was West Coast's inability to convert their first-half dominance on the scoreboard that cost them the game.
Hasleby amassed 10 disposals in the second quarter but with West Coast's zone in full effect, the Dockers struggled to create scoring chances.
In contrast, the Eagles registered nine scores from their 13 inside 50s for the term.
But just two of those were goals, with Fremantle lucky to go to half-time just 23 points down.
Fremantle were dealt a blow when Ryan Crowley, who had been given the assignment of tagging Daniel Kerr, injured his right ankle late in the first term while taking a courageous mark.
But Kerr, troubled by cramp throughout the game, had little impact, gathering just 16 disposals despite losing the serial pest.
Fremantle finally clicked into gear in the third term, with Schammer, Hill, Duffield, Hasleby and Sandilands sparking the Dockers back into the match.
West Coast veteran Andrew Embley booted two opportunistic goals for the term but it was Fremantle who were on the front foot with Hill in particular a constant threat forward of centre.
Goals to Ryan Murphy, David Mundy, Matt de Boer and Sandilands closed the gap to six points late in the term and the Dockers hit the front early in the final quarter when a 50m penalty against Brett Jones gifted a goal to Hill.
The Eagles peppered Fremantle's goal in the final 15 minutes of the match.
But while West Coast wasted their chances, with Adam Cockie, Cox, Priddis, Ashley Hansen and Hurn missing vital shots on goal, the Dockers made the most of their limited opportunities.
Brett Peake's goal on the run followed by Sandilands' second of the match ensuring skipper Matthew Pavlich celebrated his 200th game in grand style.
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