Dockers sneak past Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs had victory snatched from their grasp as Fremantle scored the last 14 points to steal a seven-point AFL win at Patersons Stadium on Monday night.
The Dockers looked well on their way to victory after kicking three quick goals to open up a 20-point lead early in the final quarter.
But the Bulldogs came surging back into the contest, booting the next four goals for a seven-point lead with just minutes left on the clock.
An amazing Kepler Bradley goal kept the Dockers in the contest; the uncanny Docker kept the dribbling ball from going through for a behind, evaded Bulldogs defender Dale Morris then kicked truly.
And the home players were celebrating like crazy when Jayden Pitt's behind and a rushed score was followed by Nick Lower's sealing goal with just seconds left on the clock to make it 12.13 (85) to 11.12 (78).
Bradley finished with four goals and unheralded tagger Jay van Berlo also chipped in with four, while defender Luke McPharlin kept Barry Hall goalless in a fantastic defensive effort.
It was far from pretty but Fremantle's fourth win from five starts has them firmly entrenched in the top four.
The verdict is still out on the Bulldogs, who now have a 2-2 record after their disappointing round-one loss to Essendon was followed by convincing victories over Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd had 35 possessions by three-quarter time and finished with 45 to his name to go along with 12 clearances and 10 inside 50s, while Justin Sherman made the most of his limited opportunities to finish with four goals.
The Bulldogs threatened to take control of the match in the second quarter when they twice opened up a 14-point lead, but the Dockers fought back to lock it up at 6.7 (43) apiece by the long break.
Neither side displayed clean skills in the opening half but it was even worse in the third quarter
Van Berlo and Bradley had two goals each for Fremantle in the first half, while Ryan Griffen and Justin Sherman had two each for the Bulldogs.
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands won the hit-out count in the opening term but it was the Bulldogs midfielders who benefited, helping the visitors to a dominant 14-4 clearance count.
The Dockers were uncharacteristically error-riddled in the opening half and their lack of efficiency with the ball looked set to bite them when the Bulldogs
Despite their ascendancy in that area, the Bulldogs couldn't capitalise as Fremantle went to the first break with a one-point lead.
The Dogs threatened to break the game open in the second quarter but two goals to tagger van Berlo saw the Dockers tie up the contest by half-time.
"I thought we showed a lot courage and a lot of commitment to come from three goals down there at the 10-minute mark of the last quarter," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.
"We probably had the chance to ice the game there in the end with a shot or two.
"I was really proud of the guys."
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said he was proud of the way his team closed out victory, the win snapping a six-game losing streak to the Dogs.
"It was a fascinating game. It typified Anzac Day, the spirit," Harvey said.
"Our guys probably now really understand how to fight through difficult times and then win, particularly when the pressure's on."
Bulldogs forward Jordan Roughead was reported for charging Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin during a marking contest.
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