Reigning Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe has shown no signs of pre-season rust with a dominant performance to help Fremantle to a tight two-point win over Adelaide in Mount Barker.
Fyfe gathered 26 disposals and kicked two goals as the Fremantle Dockers held off the Crows, 1.9.6 (69) to 0.8.19 (67) to win in front of nearly 5000 people at Sounness Park.
Defender Tommy Sheridan was also influential gathering 28 disposals off half-back, while Nick Suban chimed in with two important goals and Matt Taberner provided a good focal point taking five marks and kicking two goals.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was frustrated by his side's performance despite the win.
"It was pretty scrappy," Lyon said.
"I thought they were the better team overall.
"We didn't use the ball very well.
"I thought Fyfe worked into it. I thought Taberner showed some signs."
The understrength Crows were very impressive and would rue a large number of missed opportunities in front of goal.
Matt Crouch backed up last week's outstanding display against West Coast with 26 touches. Rory Laird (29), Rory Atkins (24) and Richard Douglas (22) were also solid contributors and Rory Sloane was excellent in his first outing for the season with 19 possessions and a goal.
Brodie Smith started well, but was rested in the second half after appearing in discomfort in the rooms at half-time.
The Crows' ball movement was very sharp through the midfield to create 42 inside 50s but they could not finish their work.
Veterans Matthew Pavlich, Zac Dawson and Michael Johnson were all pulled out of the game at half-time after solid first half performances.
Pavlich kicked a dubious supergoal in the second term after Lachie Weller was denied one in the opening term despite bouncing through the Fremantle Dockers' first goal from inside the centre square.
Weller's 'super' goal?
Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands was withdrawn pre-game despite being named in the initial squad. He will now have only one more pre-season game to prepare for round two given he will miss round one through suspension.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Fremantle: The Freo Dockers need to keep sharpening their ball movement. They kicked at just 60 per cent efficiency in the first half and only improved that figure to 64 by the final siren. They produced some great run and spread but just missed targets at key times.
Adelaide: The Crows are going to score heavily this season if they can convert their chances. Even without Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron they still had 27 scoring chances from 42 inside-50 entries. Their ball movement through the midfield was very slick.
NEW FACES
Fremantle: Mature-age key defender Sam Collins was the only new face on Fremantle's list to play in Mount Barker. He didn't play in the first half but took a good contested mark and looked composed with the ball in hand when given his chance.
Adelaide: Wayne Milera showed his obvious talent again with nine possessions and three score assists. Paul Seedsman was also busy with 15 touches. Troy Menzel found some space at half-forward and pushed up towards the wing at times. Dean Gore and Jake Kelly did not play in the first half and worked their way into the game after half-time.
NEXT UP
Fremantle have a two-week break before their final NAB Challenge outing against Geelong at Domain Stadium on Saturday 12 March. The Crows also have a weekend off before travelling to the Gold Coast to face the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
FREMANTLE 0.3.0 1.3.4 1.6.4 1.9.6 (69)
ADELAIDE 0.4.5 0.4.11 0.6.14 0.8.19 (67)
SUPERGOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich
Adelaide: Nil
GOALS
Fremantle: Fyfe 2,Taberner 2, Suban 2, Weller, Mzungu, Walters
Adelaide: Menzel, Jenkins, Smith, Lynch, Sloane, Lyons, Mackay, Douglas
BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Sheridan, Barlow, Langdon, Ibbotson
Adelaide: Sloane, Laird, Crouch, Douglas, Lynch
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Farmer, Dalgleish, Adams
Official crowd: 4767 at Sounness Park
