Five Fremantle players have been sanctioned for their part in a melee just before the first bounce of Saturday night’s game against Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.

Freo’s Michael Walters and Danyle Pearce were initially involved in a scuffle with Crows’ captain Nathan van Berlo, but a number of players from both sides joined in, delaying the opening bounce, which never eventuated because the Crows were given a free kick.

Pearce and Walters can each accept $1800 sanctions as instigators of the melee. Those two Freo players, as well as Ryan Crowley, Matt de Boer and Zac Clarke were also fined $1200 for engaging in the melee.

Adelaide's Scott Thompson and Bernie Vince were also fined $1200.