Brisbane have run out convincing winners against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday with a 55-point win.
Fremantle were delivered an early blow with star ruckman Aaron Sandilands a late withdrawal after injuring his calf in the pre-game warm-up.
Sandilands ran onto the ground and through the banner but was replaced by emergency Ryan Nyhuis before the opening bounce.
Fremantle were unable to find their rhythm after the early loss and looked sluggish after their round 14 bye as Brisbane kicked four goals to one in the opening term.
Things went from bad to worse for Freo in the second term when captain Nat Fyfe left the field with a hamstring injury. Fyfe was taken down to the change rooms where ice was taped to his right leg and he was ruled out for the day.
Lachie Neale (31 disposals) battled valiantly after the loss of Fyfe while Michael Apeness shouldered the bulk of the ruck load with 26 hitouts.
Dayne Beams helped Brisbane win the midfield battle with 33 disposals while Lewis Taylor (three goals) and Daniel McStay (three goals) did the damage up front.
Brennan Cox impressed in moments up front with two goals, including an impressive contested mark in the goalsquare that set up his second.
With 25 disposals and nine marks, Ed Langdon continued his emergence while impressing on the wing.
Hayden Ballantyne helped Freo show some fight late with two of Freo’s three fourth quarter goals however, Brisbane ran home with five of their own to run out the game.
Next week Fremantle head to Darwin to face Melbourne in what will be Stephen Hill’s 200th game.
