After a series of heavy defeats at the hands of the inter-state clubs at the front end of season 2003, fans could have been excused for a feeling of ambivalence ahead of Fremantle’s round seven clash with the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome.
The Freo Dockers had suffered an eight-goal thrashing at the hands of Richmond in round three, following a mauling by Adelaide in the season opener.
Coach Chris Connolly had suffered 12 consecutive away losses since he took over the reins at the start of 2002 and it seemed like the away-win bogey was here to stay.
But Fremantle firmly disposed of that monkey with an emphatic 83-point dispatching of the Bulldogs, which marked the team’s first win away from Subiaco Oval since a surprise victory over Hawthorn in round 18, 2001.
A brilliant all round performance from club legend and former captain Shaun McManus (23 disposals, one goal) was the highlight of a dominant Freo, as they cruised to a 23.17 (155) to 10.12 (72) victory.
McManus, who co-captained the team with Adrian Fletcher between 2000 and 2001 and was the last surviving inaugural player when he retired in 2008, was well supported by captain Peter Bell (27 disposals) and Troy Cook (22 disposals, 2 goals)
Fremantle burst out of the blocks, kicking the first three goals despite being inaccurate in front of goal, and held an 18-point lead at the first change, and they didn’t look back.
Forwards Justin Longmuir and Paul Medhurst kicked four apiece as Fremantle ran away with the game, kicking consecutive seven-goal quarters, before slotting six in the final term to put a well-earned cherry on the cake.
Former teammates Matthew Pavlich and Daniel Bandy battle it out in the ruck.
Club games record holder and former captain Matthew Pavlich was solid, racking up 18 disposals and chipping in with a goal.
The victory proved to be the launch pad, as Fremantle went on to play in their first finals series, where the young Freo side were over-run by an experienced Essendon at home.
Since that breakout season, Fremantle has featured in six finals series, a Grand Final appearance and the minor premiership in 2015.
