Fremantle-12.16, 88 def West Coast-12.11, 83

I always anticipate Western Derbies the most and yet they are always the games I am able to enjoy the least once the ball is bounced. Saturday’s game was no exception! From start to finish I felt as if I was going to be sick. However it wasn’t that sinking feeling of imminent defeat, it was a feeling of barely suppressed hope for victory. The Dockers had actually, by all appearances, come to play. 

Once again as is always the case at Docker’s Derby home games I looked around in puzzlement as people who had been barracking for the Dockers for the season had suddenly changed colours and become rabid Eagles supporters. Other notable changes were that they no longer shouted out funny comments throughout the game but just clapped quietly when the Eagles got a goal and ruthlessly repeated themselves under their breaths. So it was that the Eagles’ supporters infiltrated our ranks in what was a record crowd, setting the scene for one of the greatest Derbies to date.

The Eagles got first blood through a snap from little known Matt Rosa. However Josh Carr soon bobbed up to manufacture two brilliant goals. Already we could sense that this was a game where the winning team would require 22 contributors but also the senior players to really stand up. All of these things happened on Saturday.

In a seesawing affair the Dockers didn’t appear to go to sleep at any stage. The Dockers remained about 10 points ahead for most of the game but two West Coast goals just before three quarter time brought the game to a higher level. I had seen previously the way the West Coast demolish teams in the second half with their running power and having being well aware of our six day turn around after our Tasmanian debacle I had my reservations about being able to win the game.

The sight of Chris Judd kicking a goal on the run early in the last quarter did nothing to dispel my anxiety. Yet there was an unfamiliar steel about the Dockers’ performance on Saturday and they just kept fighting. Peter Bell stepped up to kick a hugely important captain’s goal in reply. In the dying minutes David Mundy misjudged an incoming ball to allow Brent Staker his third goal and another West Coast lead. But like an apparition Paul Haselby somehow got free in a clogged Fremantle forward line and Peter Bell summed up the situation beautifully hitting him on the chest. I think you could have heard a pin drop as our number 4 lined up. The eruption of noise once he kicked truly was deafening. The final siren brought a similar reaction but miraculously the umpires still managed to hear it!

I will now address the booing issue. I was at the game and although I did not boo I understand why other supporters did. They were booing the decision, not the player, I think most supporters have a lot of respect for the way Judd plays and carries himself he is a credit to himself and the competition and although I agree it looks bad and it is a shame that it happened it certainly isn’t as sinister as some have made out. I think John Worsfold and Chris Judd have handled it the best describing it as ‘pro Dockers’, not disrespectful. Judd did play a great game but Josh Carr’s was equally as good without a ruckman of Cox’s ability to feed him and the difference being Carr lead the Dockers to victory, Judd didn’t. It is just a shame that the sycophantic, pro Eagles judges (excluding Ross Glendinning) couldn’t see past the brilliance of Judd to give it to a good West Australian boy who played a brilliant game and kicked three goals in a low scoring game. The reaction was not surprising if you consider the excited state of largely downtrodden supporters; add a little alcohol and the mob mentality and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. I have heard reports that Ross Glendinning was pushed and spat on when leaving the ground, I don’t know if this is true but if it is it is unacceptable and would not be condoned by any Dockers’ supporter I know. As for the moralistic West Coast supporters, you are the ones that booed James Hird and always boo Jeff Farmer whether on not he does something in a particular game, hypocrites. The most disappointing part is that the booing has gotten more press than the great game that it was.

Moving on to other worrying aspects of the game, Sandilands failed to have a huge impact before he was injured and after he departed, he didn’t appear to be hugely missed other than the fact we had no actual ruckman. Time will tell, I’m sure if we can find an appropriate replacement and if Justin Longmuir can consistently live up to his potential. Luke McPharlin once again failed to have a great effect on the game. I don’t know what’s wrong with him but he has consistently disappointed this year and needs to stand up. It will be interesting to see this week what happens with Farmer coming back from suspension. Medhurst was lively up forward and was worrying the Eagles’ backline but failed to break the game open like he was so often threatening. In the end though his five points were the difference between the two teams, look out for the verdict on that one.

Major positives were that Duffield continues to impress with strong performances in his opening two AFL games, Polak’s return to the AFL is hopefully the indication of a consistently vital player in our squad and Pavlich appears to be going from strength to strength after a slow start to the season and performances that Wayne Carey and his carrot would be proud of. Antoni Grover and co down back continually impress despite their lack of experience, perhaps this is a sign of Mark Harvey’s influence.

The highlight of the game was Michael Johnson’s effort on the wing. Despite making costly errors in the game, he continued to run forward and in a two on one effort he grabbed the ball disposed of it to assist a Dockers’ goal at a crucial stage in the match. Well done son!

It is always great to beat the Eagles and I will enjoy the week immensely. However my defensive bristles are up and I will not read too much into the Dockers’ hard fought win. How often have we seen the headline: “Fremantle Comes Of Age”. This week is a huge test at the MCG and the Dockers’ have to continue to perform to enjoy the AFL power tag.

Votes:

3- Josh Carr

2- Matthew Pavlich

1- Graham Polak

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