In an emotional day for the Fremantle Football Club, Ross Lyon’s men were able to farewell season 2016 on a positive note by honouring the club’s greatest player with a hard-edged 20-point victory against the Western Bulldogs.

Here’s what to note from Sunday’s clash at Domain Stadium.
 
Thanks Pav
Today’s match was Pavlich’s final day of an AFL career spanning 16 years, four months and 21 days.  In 353 AFL matches, including 189 as Fremantle captain, the champion forward won six All-Australian jumpers, eight Doig Medals and eight club goal-kicking awards. Against the Bulldogs he slotted a goal – the 700th of his distinguished career – gathered 20 possessions and reeled in 10 marks in a tireless performance. Speaking to his teammates in a farewell address on Wednesday, the 34-year-old asked for relentless effort over four quarters. He would’ve been ecstatic with the playing group’s response, who gifted him a win in front of 34,765 adoring fans.

Pav's message to the fans

A record-breaking afternoon
Freo midfielder Lachie Neale entered Sunday’s match needing just 21 touches to break the all-time record for the most disposals in an AFL home and away season (721 by Matthew Boyd in 2012). The 23-year-old started in hot form, notching 13 possessions in the opening quarter thanks to some excellent tap work from Aaron Sandilands. He reached the milestone early in the third term, but didn’t stop there. Neale finished with 36 disposals (737 for the year), five marks and a goal to cap off a stellar 2016 campaign.
 
The forward press and the counterpunch
For large periods of Sunday’s encounter, Fremantle were able to lock the ball forward of centre and score from repeat entries inside 50. Chris Mayne, Shane Yarran and Hayden Ballantyne applied manic pressure to the ball carrier and forced their opponents to hurriedly dispose of the ball. The team gained a strong on-field position thereafter and generated a number of scoring attempts. Conversely, when locked deep inside the Bulldogs’ 50, Ross Lyon’s men were able to hit targets through half-back and slingshot their way to the goal square, where Pavlich, Walters and de Boer were all beneficiaries.
 
Defensive efforts
Through periods of the second and third quarters, Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs monopolised field position but were unable to capitalise. Part of this can be attributed to the solidarity of Fremantle’s defensive unit. Anchored by mid-sized defenders Garrick Ibbotson, Lee Spurr and Cam Sutcliffe, Freo repelled numerous attacking forays with strong communication, courage in the air, pressure around the ball and tight marking of their opponents. Ibbotson played his best game of 2016, amassing 29 possessions – an equal career high - at 86 per cent efficiency, and taking 14 marks. Alex Silvagni and Zac Dawson also impressed with their closing speed, tackling and spoiling, while Freo’s midfield group ran hard both ways.

Match report: Gritty win for Pav
 
Conversion is key
Despite Freo taking the lead in the first quarter and holding on to it for the rest of the match, Freo went through most of the afternoon with less scoring shots than their opponent. At the end of the third term, the Bulldogs had registered 18 scoring shots to Fremantle’s 12, but were still nine points in arrears. Both teams hit the scoreboard 19 times, but it was Fremantle’s efficiency in front of goal that made the difference.
 
A good note to end on
Much of Fremantle’s focus in 2016 has been on attaining a four-quarter performance. Freo sought to improve their attacking potency at the start of the year. On Sunday they were damaging on the scoreboard when it counted, and worked tirelessly to clog up the Bulldogs’ attacking 50.  The results were telling: Lyon’s side were impressive on the counter-attack and ferocious at the contest. The players and coaching staff will be hoping Sunday’s performance is a precursor for 2017.