Following back-to-back-to-back premiership success in 2001-03, the Brisbane Lions could lay claim to being the greatest team in the AFL era, if not all time.

But on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Perth, the great Lions, chasing a fourth flag in succession in 2004, were put to the sword by the Fremantle Dockers, and in particular Paul Medhurst.

Nine goals from the enigmatic Freo forward led his side to a 59-point demolition of Brisbane at Subiaco Oval.

Medhurst had been struggling for form, booting just 13 in the first eight games of that season.

But he roared back to life with his best haul ever and the second best return by a Freo Docker since Tony Modra kicked 10 against Melbourne in round 10, 1999.

Paul Hasleby, who had just inked a new deal to take him through to the end of 2007, was superb all day in the midfield, gathering 31 possessions, including 11 in a brilliant first term.

Jeff Farmer was also dangerous, kicking three goals from his 18 possessions.

Brisbane’s big-man department took a hammering on the day, with ruckman Clark Keating and defensive pillar Mal Michael going down with injury.

That forced full forward Daniel Bradshaw to play in the ruck and the 181cm Brad Scott to line up on the 11cm taller Matthew Pavlich.

The win took Freo to six wins and three losses for the 2004 season, equal with the Lions.

For Brisbane, Luke Power battled hard for 29 disposals, while Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis was solid with 31 touches.

Fremantle coach Chris Connolly was happy with his team’s performance against the champion Lions.

“I know Brisbane were undermanned, but nevertheless, it was a very convincing win, and we probably should have won with more, in hindsight, considering the injuries they had and the way we dominated the game, and it gives us a lot of confidence,” he said.

Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews refused to blame injuries for his side’s dismal display, saying Freo were just too good.

“If you get beaten in the forward line, midfield and defence you lose,” he said.

“We had players there, but they played better than us in all the areas of the ground that matter.

He added that Brisbane’s ruck woes were exposed by Freo.

“That is stating the obvious,” he said. “We were badly beaten in the hit-outs and the clearances and our stocks of recognised ruckmen are a bit depleted at this point.”


Fremantle: 5.6 10.8 15.14 20.17 (137)
Brisbane: 3.4 8.5 9.7 11.12 (78)

Goals: Fremantle: Medhurst 9, Farmer 3, Waterhouse, Bell 2, Longmuir, Hasleby, Polak, Pavlich
Brisbane: Power, Pike 3, Pratt, Adcock, Akermanis, Johnson, Voss

Best: Fremantle: Medhurst, Hasleby, Bell, Pavlich, Farmer
Brisbane: Akermanis, Power, Hart, Pike, B Scott

Injuries: Fremantle: Nil
Brisbane: Keating (shoulder), Michael (thigh)

Changes: Fremantle: Waterhouse in for Sandilands
Brisbane: Pratt in for McRae

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Allen, Margetts

Crowd: 32,575 at Subiaco Oval