While Freo may not be playing this weekend, we can satisfy your finals fever with a wrap-up of our best September wins.
Qualifying Final v Geelong 2013
Simonds Stadium
Fremantle by 15 points
It is arguably the club’s greatest finals win. Entering the game as rank underdogs against one of the great teams of the modern era at its home fortress. Geelong broke away early, kicking out to a four-goal lead in the second term before Fremantle fought back with the next five goals of the game to lead at half-time. Some Stephen Hill class sealed the unlikely win. Who could forget Hill bursting from the interchange, dashing down the wing and inside 50 to kick a remarkable goal, silencing the home crowd? The historic win booked the club’s first home Preliminary Final.
Statistics
Disposals: Michael Barlow 32
Goals: Michael Barlow 3
Marks: Lee Spurr 10
Tackles: David Mundy, Paul Duffield 8
Semi Final v Melbourne, 2006
Subiaco Oval
Fremantle by 28 points
It was a historic first finals win for the club. Fremantle headed into the match off the back of a 30-point loss to Adelaide in a Qualifying Final at AAMI Stadium. Facing a straight sets exit, a whole team performance secured the win. Heath Black, Josh Carr, Byron Schammer and AFL Hall of Famer Peter Bell were among the best on ground while Matthew Pavlich and Jeff Farmer booted two goals each.
Statistics
Disposals: Heath Black 28
Goals: Matthew Carr, Jeff Farmer, Matthew Pavlich, Ryan Murphy 2
Marks: Roger Hayden 10
Tackles: Matthew Carr 8
Preliminary Final v Sydney 2013
Subiaco Oval
Fremantle by 25 points
It was the win that sent Fremantle into its first AFL Grand Final. Its stunning Qualifying Final win over Geelong booked a week off and a home Preliminary Final against reigning premiers Sydney. In front of a parochial home crowd Freo burst out of the blocks kicking seven of the first nine goals of the game, including five in a second term blitz. In front of the second biggest crowd ever at Subiaco Oval (43,249), Freo led by 54 points at one stage. Chris Mayne’s 13 tackles summed up Freo’s manic pressure across the ground. Michael Walters was in fine touch with three goals while David Mundy led from the middle.
Statistics
Disposals: David Mundy, Paul Duffield 29
Goals: Michael Walters 3
Marks: Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield 9
Tackles: Chris Mayne 13
Tickets for the Preliminary Final against the Hawks at Domain Stadium on Friday 25 September, go on sale for Fremantle members on Monday 21 September from 9am (WST) until 1pm (WST) through Ticketmaster.
