In the lead-up to Nat Fyfe’s 150th game, senior coach Ross Lyon called for Fremantle’s effort to reflect the occasion and his players delivered for the captain on a day to remember for Fyfe and the team.
Freo’s young players stepped up in what was an all-round team performance, with the likes of Connor Blakely, Michael Apeness, Brennan Cox, Andrew Brayshaw, Ed Langdon, Stefan Giro and Bailey Banfield contributing heavily to Fremantle’s win.
Nat Fyfe gathered 30 possessions and booted two goals in his 150th AFL match, while Lachie Neale was also superb for the visitors with 33 and three majors.
Fremantle booted 12 goals to nothing in the first half, with the Blues only recording their first goal three minutes into the third term.
The Blues showed some fight in the third quarter, with Kreuzer snaring a couple of goals, Patrick Cripps still prolific but a bit tidier with the football and Kade Simpson courageous backing into space.
However Fyfe (30 disposals for the game), Neale (33) and David Mundy (20) again took charge midway through the term and the Freo Dockers were back firmly in control.
Much about the win would have pleased Fremantle coach Ross Lyon. The spread of goalkickers – 12 all up – was a good sign as was the fact that the Freo Dockers jumped out of the gates away from home and really, the game was done at quarter-time.
"We just continued on from how we played against Adelaide. We numbered off really quickly, pressured really well and went forward quickly and scored. That was really pleasing," he said post-game.
"Even the third quarter we had double the amount of entries, their pressure lifted and some of our decision-making wasn't as slick."
Carlton remains last on the ladder with just one win to its name and a percentage of 61.9. Fremantle moves up to 12th, a game outside the top eight.
CARLTON 0.4 0.7 3.7 6.10 (46)
FREMANTLE 6.3 12.5 14.10 15.13 (103)
GOALS
Carlton: Kreuzer 2, Wright 2, Kerridge, Casboult
Fremantle: Neale 3, Fyfe 2, Tucker, Ballantyne, Apeness, Banfield, Cox, Ryan, Sheridan, Matera, Brayshaw, Mundy
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, Kreuzer, E.Curnow
Fremantle: Neale, Fyfe, Blakely, Mundy, Langdon
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Fremantle: Matera (knee)
Reports: Nil
