Two late supergoals to Danyle Pearce and Lachie Weller have helped Fremantle to a come-from-behind 12-point win over Geelong at Domain Stadium on Saturday.
Fremantle trailed all day until back-to-back bombs in time-on in the last quarter turned an 11-point deficit into a seven-point lead. They eventually won 2.9.11 (83) to 0.10.11 (71) to finish the pre-season undefeated.
Geelong youngster Nakia Cockatoo seems unlikely to be available to face Hawthorn in round one after he was reported for a sling tackle that left Michael Johnson unconscious in the last quarter.
Cockatoo pinned Johnson in a strong tackle but slung him to the ground with a second movement and the veteran was left very groggy after his head hit the turf with force. Johnson had to be helped off and took no further part in the match.
Johnson’s teammate Harley Bennell produced a classy debut, gathering 17 touches, four inside 50s, three score assists and kicking a goal in three quarters before resting in the final term.
Bennell fires in first game for Freo
Lachie Neale (29 disposals), Michael Barlow (27) and Nat Fyfe (26) all worked hard in the midfield while Hayden Ballantyne, Matt Taberner and Chris Mayne bagged two goals each.
The intensity matched the temperature in the opening half, before the 30-plus degree heat took its toll on the players in the second half. The AFL had enacted the heat policy giving both sides the option of using 26 players instead of 24 but neither team took the option. Both sides left the ground to escape the blazing sun at three-quarter time.
Geelong's tackling pressure was exceptional, laying 82 tackles to 60, and the Fremantle Dockers struggled with their kicking efficiency as a result.
Geelong veteran Jimmy Bartel copped a heavy knock in the first term and did not return after he was tested for concussion.
Ross Lyon post-match Q & A
NEW FACES
Fremantle: Harley Bennell was impressive in his first game for his new club. He played predominantly at half-forward but pushed up to the midfield at times. He showed his class and skill and his best is going to add significant value to the Dockers.
Geelong: Rookie Tom Ruggles was very impressive playing in defence for the Cats. He mixed and matched between manning the mid-sized Mayne and small dynamic Michael Walters. Dangerfield starred again while Lachie Henderson was rock solid in defence.
NEXT UP
The Fremantle Dockers travel to Etihad Stadium to face the Western Bulldogs in round one. The Cats have their traditional Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn to open the season proper.
FREMANTLE 0.2.3 0.5.6 0.7.9 2.9.11 (83)
GEELONG 0.3.2 0.7.6 0.9.8 0.10.11 (71)
NAB SUPERGOALS
Fremantle: Danyle Pearce, Weller
Geelong: Nil
GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 2, Taberner 2, Mayne 2, Walters, Bennell, Neale
Geelong: McCarthy 3, Dangerfield 2, Gregson, Duncan, Guthrie, Vardy, Kersten
BEST
Fremantle: Neale, Bennell, Johnson, Barlow, Hill
Geelong: Dangerfield, Taylor, Guthrie, McCarthy, Motlop
INJURIES
Fremantle: Johnson (concussion)
Geelong: Bartel (concussion)
Reports: Nakia Cockatoo for rough conduct on Michael Johnson in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Farmer, Dalgleish, Bannister, Schmitt
Official crowd: 8,624 at Domain Stadium
