The 2014 season saw Fremantle secure a finals’ berth leading into round 23 with a 16-6 record, beating the West Coast Eagles twice, Geelong once and reigning premiers Hawthorn only two weeks earlier.
Their round 23 clash was no easy task, facing fellow finals contenders Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium.
Fremantle and Port were only four points apart, and a Port Adelaide win would see them to leapfrog Freo into fourth position and guarantee the Power finals double chance.
Midfielder Lachie Neale, who starred in the game with 34 disposals, said the external hype was building in the lead up to the game.
“Externally there was a bit of noise in the media and from the fans that this was a must win game,” Neale said.
“We had to prepare for them coming out pretty hard.”
Talking points: Rd 13 v Port Adelaide
A hotly contested first quarter saw the first goal to Fremantle through Matthew Taberner but the two sides went into quarter time all tied up 3.3.(21) to 3.3.(21).
Two early goals for Fremantle in the second quarter was quickly responded to with goals from Chad Wingard and Jay Schulz.
From then on both sides traded scores evenly until Port Adelaide took a one point lead into half-time 7.6.(41) to 7.5.(40)
After half-time Port looked dangerous and six minutes into the quarter they were 12 points ahead before a Hayden Ballantyne goal sparked a Freo comeback.
Cameron Sutcliffe, Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters and Chris Mayne added to the scoreboard, as a flurry of goals sent the Dockers into the third quarter break with a 22 point lead 13.8. (86) to 9.10.(64).
Fremantle had extended their lead to 40 by the 12th minute of the fourth quarter thanks to Pavlich and Ballantyne, meaning the Dockers had kicked the last nine in a row due to their dominant attacking performance, and Port’s inaccuracy in front of goal.
Three goals in six minutes saw the Power close that gap to 20 and bring on an intense last 10 minutes.
Barlow relishing run-with role
However it wasn’t enough, and goals to Robbie Gray and Schulz couldn’t close the gap and Fremantle held on tight to secure an eight point win 16.9.(105) to 14.13.(97).
Impressive displays from Neale and Michael Barlow ensured fluid movement through the centre of the ground.
Neale said that it was one of his better games of the season.
“I know for me I had a couple of good games that year but I was inconsistent at times so for me to play well in a big game was pleasing and it was something I took some real confidence away from,” Neale said.
Fremantle face Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium again this Saturday and Neale is confident in Fremantle’s ability to challenge quality sides, especially with the support of the home crowd.
“If we play the way that we know we can then we can definitely challenge the best sides,” Neale said.
