Fremantle 13.6 (84) def Kangaroos 6.13 (49)

Well it was ugly but we won which is the main thing to remind ourselves after the match against the kangaroos on Saturday. After hearing reports of the way the Kangaroos played us at Subiaco last year and with the Adelaide game fresh in my mind I had little doubt of the way the game would be played. The question was would we be able to rise above it unlike the Hawthorn and Adelaide games that were previously so forgettable.

--"Lord" Byron Schammer had the dirtiest day of his life and is already drawing comparisons from Dockers’ supporters to a young Shaun McManus--

During the week Connolly only took some of my advice by dropping Matthew Carr and Troy Cook only to leave Medhurst and Walker in. However a last minute change saw one deservedly dropped player replaced by another deservedly dropped player. So Carr for Medhurst and we were ready to roll. Ryan Murphy and Justin Longmuir were great additions on the day but I remain unconvinced by Schofield, haven’t we got enough players like him already?

The first half was terrible to watch as North Melbourne ruthlessly flooded and skill errors were the rule of the day and the Kangaroos were able to land into half time three points in front in a very low scoring game. The umpires were at their usual inconsistent best, ignoring obvious Fremantle frees whilst giving North Melbourne any softy they could. Poor umpiring seems to be the only consistent feature in all our games this season.

In the second half, Carey must have been in the rooms with his old club, because they ran back out on the ground with what must have been carrots up their arses. The game consequently improved; sparked by a few individual tackling efforts from Jeff Farmer, Steven Dodd and James Walker. I am sure Farmer will claim all the credit as his injury that forced him off the ground saw James Walker fortuitously come onto the ground in time to lay a momentum shifting, textbook tackle and soon afterward the grandson of a great, executed a centring kick that set up a Murphy goal. This was a pivotal moment in a forgettable match and James Walker is my unlikely hero. A man that was lucky to be playing.

Our backline was once again the highlight keeping the Kangaroos to just six goals. Michael Johnson was spanked in the first half by Petri but continued to run hard during the match and create opportunities to score. David Mundy was great as the loose man down back and consistently ran off the half back line to create. Antoni Grover grows with each match once again shutting down an inform opponent in Nathan Thompson. Scott Thornton is quickly earning several names with fans, the Corpse and the Condom spring immediately to mind, he reminds me a bit of Dustin Fletcher with his hunched back and ability to almost be constantly attached to his opponent. Duffield was good again and Parker was steady. I am dreaming of the day when Robert Haddrill returns to the fray and I love Roger Hayden and think there has to be a spot for him.

I couldn’t really pick out any midfielders that really dominated but I thought young Peake’s run was fantastic. Although it is encouraging to see us win comfortably despite being totally smashed in the clearances this area really worries me and I fear what will happen against the really top sides. In the forward line Pavlich was dominant, Farmer was creative and Murphy took his opportunities. Medhurst did not appear to be missed and McPharlin failed to have an effect before he got injured. We hope and pray that his scans today will bring good news so that he can come back next weekend and make Jonathon Brown look like an amateur.

The last quarter had the sting taken out of it when we kicked the first three unanswered goals but Jeff Farmer’s little beauty from the boundary line was well worth coming to see. That and the singing of TNT after the game were probably the highlights of a game that certainly won’t go down in history as one of the greats. At the end of the day though we got the four points and are well and truly entrenched in seventh spot with only our percentage preventing us from climbing higher. Would have topped my weekend off to see the Dons knock off West Coast but alas they are now on top of the ladder.

Coming up we have two winnable games. First of all is Brisbane at the Gabba who have rejuvenated their season with consecutive wins on the back of brilliant performances by Jonathon Brown. The big questions during the week will be about who will play on the dominant Centre Half forward. It has to be between Johnson and Grover, both will struggle and need support and someone will also have to watch a dangerous Bradshaw who will hopefully be forced back in Leppitsh’s absence. Either way it will be interesting to see the way the Dockers handle the next few weeks. Credit to both clubs for what was a lovely tribute to a great guy, Garry Dhurrkay!

3- Mathew Pavlich

2- David Mundy

1- Brett Peake

Dishonourable mention to Byron Schammer who probably had the dirtiest day of his life and is already drawing comparisons from Dockers’ supporters to a young Shaun McManus.

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