Fremantle managed to break a record on Saturday at Skilled Stadium versus the in form Cats: They eclipsed their record for the lowest ever score by a Fremantle team since its inception in 1995. For three quarters the Dockers were held goalless, while in the second, they were relatively brilliant kicking three. Their total score or 3.6 24 was indeed a pitiful one.

In freezing conditions, the Freo boys (especially the forward line) struggled to keep warm, in the sleet and mud which was all over the place in that hole in the earth we call Victoria. Jeff Farmer even developed symptoms of hypothermia due to long stints of nothingness in the forward line. Apparently it was so cold that if you stopped moving at any stage at all you would begin to shiver.

The Cats were basically too strong on their home turf, and while they got a few lucky breaks here and there, as well as a few umpiring decisions, the result could never be questioned as the one that was always going to happen. The Dockers are slumping at the wrong time of the season, and this performance was typical of a team weary after a long season, not energised with the prospect of finals football.

A rare shining light for the Dockers was Dylan Smith, a young bloke from the Kangaroos who was delisted last season. He ammassed a mountain of possession and really played with spirit which was encouraging. It was clear to me that this guy wants to have a career in the AFL. There were others who put in reasonable efforts, but the entire team seemed rudderless and unable to put a sufficient score on the board. It has been a problem for the Dockers all year, in perhaps only one game have Fremantle been able to score easily for four quarters. This has to be fixed and fixed quickly in Fremantle are to make the eight.

With only two games to go, tough ones against a resurgent West Coast and revitalised St. Kilda in Victoria, Fremantle will have to dig deep to avoid a repeat of 1997.

Please o please toast the toast....

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