The Fremantle Dockers collected a hard-fought win against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Friday night in the opening game of the 2014 AFL season.
Fremantle needed just a quarter of footy to turn around a lacklustre pre-season, using a demoralising defensive effort and a spread of goal kickers to run out 5.16.(46)-17.14.(116) winners in front of 37,571 fans.
A Lee Spurr turnover in the middle of the ground enabled the Magpies to kick the first goal of the 2014 home and away season courtesy of new Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury. Dane Swan added another as the Magpies shot off to a promising start, but Tom Sheridan turned around a nervous Fremantle patch with an opportunistic goal to help the Dockers stay in touch in what was a one-point quarter-time game despite both clubs missing a combined nine wasteful shots on goal.
Fremantle found another gear in the second quarter as the defensive pressure kicked in. Stephen Hill’s lethal left foot on the run opened the term’s scoring before Matthew Pavlich claimed his second contested inside 50 grab of the quarter and converted a major as the Dockers built a small lead in the opening stages.
A massive quarter from Nat Fyfe, which included a goal and an assist to Danyle Pearce, propelled Fremantle further in front and a miracle left-footed snap from Hayden Ballantyne from a tight angle deep in the pocket pushed the lead out to a strong 35-point margin at the major break.
Ballantyne didn’t need to long to kick his third just minutes into the third quarter, turning the corner with his trademark pace to slot a low delivery through a vacant goal square.
Tendai Mzungu and David Mundy added quick goals before Dayne Beams shanked a prime opportunity to break the Dockers’ run of 12 straight goals. Ryan Crowley beat Pendlebury out one-on-one in front of goal to slot another, until Brent Macaffer finally found some luck to kick Collingwood’s third, the Magpies first goal since midway through the opening term.
Collingwood improved in the fourth, but were still unable to outscore a ferocious Fremantle who continued to build on its 94-31 three-quarter time lead as Michael Walters finally got in on the action to kick two goals.
Fyfe (20 possessions, nine clearances, 90% disposal efficiency) was among Fremantle’s best despite being subbed off at three-quarter time as a precautionary measure while Barlow (29 touches and a goal), Mzungu (27 and a goal) and Pearce (26, two goals and 10 inside 50s) were all prolific ball winners.
Ballantyne finished with three goals and Crowley, Mundy, Pearce and Walters all bagged multiples.
Crowley and Luke McPharlin provided just two of a number of standout defensive efforts for Fremantle, lessening Pendlebury’s influence and holding Travis Cloke to a scoreless, five-possession, two-mark outing respectively.
Beams led all players with 31 possessions while Swan chipped in 27 at just 56% disposal efficiency.
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Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images
