The final analysis
“I think I’m just getting more contested ball” is Dustin Martin’s take on the his 34-possession game. Then he’s asked where he’s off to for his holidays during the bye period. “I’m not sure yet,” Martin fires back with a twinkle in his eye. I’m sure it’ll be something quiet.
He was brilliant tonight. He also had 5 clearances, 5 tackles, 5 inside-50s and a goal, one of his most complete games in recent memory. He did it all. Also excellent was Brandon Ellis and Shane Edwards with 26, Trent Cotchin with 24 (13 of them contested) and Bachar Houli 23 setting up play across half back. Ty Vickery’s sealer gave him 3 goals on return, while Riewoldt, Deledio and Grifiths all had 2.
The Dockers just left their run too late and thus ends their 9-game streak to start the season. Nat Fyfe had 26 possessions - a staggering 20 of them contested - plus 9 clearances, 6 tackles and 5 inside-50s in another stellar display. He’d been held well in the first half but really turned it on as the Dockers surged home. Lachie Neale (28), Stephen Hill (21) and Michael Barlow (20) all did their bit, but it wasn’t enough tonight after that blistering Richmond start. Eight goals in the first term from the Tigers proved a killer blow.
There’s no mistaking the fact that it was a shock result tonight at Domain Stadium, but it probably means far more to the Tigers than it will to Fremantle come September. Good on ‘em, they arrived prepared and executed their game plan almost perfectly and then held off a late swing in momentum.
That’s all from me tonight but make sure you join us for more live action throughout this 2015 AFL season.
Updated
Richmond have won it! They've beaten Fremantle away.
Richmond 15.7 (97) defeat Fremantle 10.10 (70)
A protracted score review is exactly what this game wasn’t screaming out for, but we get one when Riewoldt’s provisional goal is disallowed on account of the fact it was touched off his boot. Taylor Hunt concedes a holding the ball to Ballantyne and a 50-metre penalty too but nothing comes of Ballantyne’s roll of the dice.
And that, as they say, is that. Hardwick’s smiling and so are his players as the siren sounds. They’re ecstatic in fact. No-one gave ‘em a hope tonight - certainly not me - and they’ve pulled off a memorable win against the undefeated ladder-leaders. The Tigers win it by 27!
“It’s hard to sum it up,” says Jack Riewoldt in the aftermath, “We knew we could try and jump them at the start and that if we took our opportunities we’d be right in the hunt.”
“Yellow and black eh?” Indeed.
Tigers goal! 4th quarter (2:21 remaining) Fremantle 10.10 (70) vs Richmond 15.6 (96)
Freo surge forward again and Troy Chaplin’s forced to rush a behind when he’s swarmed with opponents in the goal square. Every minor permutation inside 50 is sending the local supporters into raptures. It sounds like a WCW crowd at the moment. If you’re a fan of Leigh Matthews’ ‘goals vs minutes’ theory and you’re a Dockers fan, you’ll be wary of the fact that with 4 minutes remaining, they still need 4 goals to pinch it. That’s not good.
Even worse, the Tigers rebound through Edwards and then Deledio chips a neat pass inside 50 for Vickery to mark and eat into the clock even further. The big forward goes back and clinches it with a booming drop punt straight through the middle. The Tigers are home!
Dockers goal! 4th quarter (7:28 remaining) Fremantle 10.9 (69) vs Richmond 14.6 (90)
As precious moments continue to tick away, Fremantle are being held up in transition and rather playing into Richmond’s hands. It’s not to the betterment of the spectacle, but Richmond’s decision to hold on to the footy and get men back is certainly taking the sting out of the contest. Then out of nowhere, Walters snaps and goals! There’s still time if they’re good enough!
Tigers goal! 4th quarter (11:39 remaining) Fremantle 9.8 (62) vs Richmond 14.6 (90)
Richmond has the chance to finally claw one back when Cotchin marks 40 metres out with the chance to slot the proverbial captain’s goal but he can’t manage it. Martin falls short too moments later but in the ensuing spillage, Shane Edwards emerges from a pack of players to boot it through off the ground. It was ugly but Tigers fans won’t care. They’ve got one! Time to breathe again.
Dockers goal! 4th quarter (14:06 remaining) Fremantle 9.8 (62) vs Richmond 13.5 (83)
Richmond get first use of the ball to start the final term and they’re in desperate need of a steadying goal here to stop the Fremantle momentum. Freo catch them on the break early and Pavlich has a chance to either set up Walters or blaze long for an open goal. Taking the latter option, he watches his bouncing attempt take a leg break for a minor score and a dirty night continues when he blazes it out on the full moments later on the wing.
In need of inspiration, Richmond get it from a deft tap by Maric to Cotchin, with the latter inching a smart pass through to Griffiths in a prime position 20 metres from goal. But then Griffiths butchers his set shot, boy does he butcher it. Moments later Ballantyne has the opportunity to kick Freo’s fourth in a row but his running shot from 45 metres is wide.
Then Pav misses a tough chance from 40ish but Walters wins himself a free kick 20 metres out when he’s taken high and he makes no mistake to goal. Richmond are bricking it here. They’re dying. Fyfe is everywhere. Freo are everywhere. They can win this from here.
Fremantle has never come from more than 3 goals down at 3QT to win a game in the AFL. They trail Richmond by 29.
— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) June 5, 2015
Three-quarter time - Richmond lead by 29 but the Dockers are coming home hard
Fremantle 8.5 (53) vs Richmond 13.4 (82)
Phwow. The Dockers were on the march again there but the siren beat them. They’re 29 points in arrears at the final break and really, could you bet against them pulling this off? We’ve got an absorbing final term on the way.
Dockers goal! 3rd quarter (1:25 remaining) Fremantle 8.5 (53) vs Richmond 13.4 (82)
As Senator Clay Davis so succinctly put it, Sheeeeeiiiiiiittttttt. Now Walters turns creator, flicking a pass across the face of goal for Barlow to mark 2o metres out and slot through a simple set shot. The Dockers are coming home with wind in their sail. Richmond are in shut-down mode. They’re stagnant. They’re staggering. This is a game of football again.
Dockers goal! 3rd quarter (3:08 remaining) Fremantle 7.5 (47) vs Richmond 13.4 (82)
Will that Crozier goal start something special? I’ll be honest, Even with a 41-point lead it feels like Richmond is always in need of a steadying goal. The home crowd is getting involved in a big way now and the Dockers are tackling hard and pressuring. Both seem to feed off the other.
Daniel Juckes will be pleased to know that Hayden Ballantyne is getting involved too, initiating a boundary line scrap and tumbling forward like he’s been assaulted in an attempt to win a free kick. Not even his own fans are aggrieved when he doesn’t succeed. Michael Walters goes into orbit and almost takes the mark of the millennium, but can’t clunk it.
“Only second time I’ve seen Freo play this year and I really feel like I’m missing out not seeing Nat Fyfe ruck, rove, mark, goal, pressure and tackle so potently and mostly contested,” says Brendan Brown. “There is truly nothing he can’t do.” Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If you stuck him in the goal square he’d kick five, I’m sure.
Right on cue Fyfe takes sensational mark under pressure at the 50-metre mark and then chips inside to Walters, who runs around the mark and goals on his left. Is it on? I think it might be ON! The siren can’t come quick enough for the Tigers.
Docker goal! 3rd quarter (9:16 remaining) Fremantle 6.5 (41) vs Richmond 13.4 (82)
Urgh. Gargh. Blergh. Nick Suban had a chance to kick an absolute sitter here - 15 metres out running into an open goal - but he produces some sub Little League finishing to pray it across the face. Almost worse is another droped mark from Pavlich in the goal square, his second or third error of that type tonight. He’s fumbling it like a rube.
There follows a period of scrappy, end-to-end stalemate, which isn’t much good for Freo because they need goals and lots of them. FInally they get one when Crozier snaps from 45 metres out on his left and it dribbles through. Phew.
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (17:19 remaining) Fremantle 5.2 (32) vs Richmond 13.3 (81)
The third term gets under way and the frenetic pace of this game perhaps tells in the amount of skill errors we’re starting to see. Brandon Ellis has no such problems and slams through a running goal to get us started. Freo will have to get moving very quickly to stand a chance.
INJURY UPDATE: Alex Rance is really hobbling with a knee injury, one that’s now strapped up. He’s out on the ground though, so it can’t be diabolical.
Poor Daniel Juckes. He’s shell-shocked from tonight’s developments. “I’m a Freo fan and would just like for you to confirm that the game you are reporting is actually the game being played,” he says. “Even though my girlfriend is there and telling me that what is happening is happening, I’m still unable to believe it and want to blame jet lag.” Err, it’s happening Daniel.
“On an unrelated/related note, please can I also have an update on the behaviour of Hayden Ballantyne. This seems like the sort of game that could lose him a couple of weeks!” I’d rate the Ballantyne brain-fade alert level at about a 6 right now Daniel; there are no outward signs that he’s about to explode. Maybe Richmond need to deploy an agitator.
Some stats from the first half
The Tigers were simply stunning in that first half, not necessarily dominant in a statistical sense (though 63 more disposals than your opposition is a fair effort) but punishing Freo where it matters, on the scoreboard. That came on the back of ruthless efficiency with the ball and taking their chances in front of goal. They had 8 straight at one point.
Freo is actually winning the clearances 27-13, the hit-outs 31-15 and contested possessions 66-64. Michael Barlow (10 possessions), Nat Fyfe (9 and a goal) and Hayden Ballantyne (9 and a goal) are all battling away, but at reduced output from what we’ve come to expect, especially Fyfe.
Dustin Martin’s been everywhere for the Tigers, gathering 17 possessions (7 contested), three inside-50s and a goal in a sparkling game so far. The likes of Houli, Hunt, Miles and Vlastuin are getting plenty of ball in the midfield, as is Trent Cotchin. There’s also four multiple goal-kickers for the Tigers - Riewoldt, Vickery, Deledio and Griffiths.
What can Ross Lyon hatch in the break? We’ll find out soon.
Half-time - Richmond leads Freo by 43 points and yes, you're reading correctly
Fremantle 5.2 (32) vs Richmond 12.3 (75)
The half-time siren sounds and even with that late goal to Fyfe and a miss from Richmond’s Shaun Grigg, the Tigers still take a handsome 43 point lead to the main break. They’ve swamped the Dockers tonight. Is the damage already done or will the home side claw their way back?
I’ll be back shortly with some stats from that jaw-dropping first half of Richmond dominance.
Dockers goal! 2nd quarter (0:50 remaining) Fremantle 5.2 (32) vs Richmond 12.3 (75)
Woah! Just as it looked like Fremantle was down and out - and let’s be honest, they still might be - Nat Fyfe pulls out the goal of the round to go with what’s likely to be the mark of the round. He gathers the ball 40 metres out on the boundary and from the impossible angle, cracks a perfectly-spinning banana straight through the middle. What a goal!
I guess it just wouldn't be Friday night football if one team didn't play like Carlton. #AFLFreoTigers
— Charlotte Corday (@C_Corday) June 5, 2015
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (4:35 remaining) Fremantle 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 12.2 (74)
The Dockers are a shambles tonight, aren’t they? They’re being shoved around in their own backyard. Now Riewoldt’s got another and the Fremantle faithful are furious. Did Sandilands hold his mark before that? It looked like it. Anyway, the Tiger swoops on the crumb and snaps across his shoulder from close range and as he does so, replays reveal that the mark was a 50-50 call. Nothing’s going right for them tonight.
Dockers fan Kym Mu is struggling through onslaught. “All will be well. All will be well. All will be well,” is Kym’s mantra. Poor Kym.
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (8:06 remaining) Fremantle 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 11.2 (68)
Oh dear. After Ben Griffiths’ running shot on goal is rushed across the line by Paul Duffield, the latter unleashes an absolute howler of a kick-in, one that allows Corey Ellis to sweep in, juggle a mark over the intended Docker target and then convert the set shot. Ouch. Tigers players swarm on Duffield like seagulls, giving him an absolute mouth full.
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (13:48 remaining) Fremantle 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 10.1 (61)
Did I say the Dockers were slowing it down? Maybe not. Steve Morris has goaled now with an absolute Stephen Kernahan of a helicopter punt. It doesn’t matter how you get ‘em.
Dockers goal! 2nd quarter (15:13 remaining) Fremantle 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 9.1 (55)
Aaron Sandilands is probably my favourite Sandi since the first time I saw Grease. Dockers fans love him too, especially after he marks like an angry bear here 15 metres from goal and then converts from right in front. The Dockers are slowing this one down now.
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (17:37 remaining) Fremantle 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 9.1 (55)
“They controlled the ball, we didn’t want to defend,” is Ross Lyon’s take on that disastrous opening term from the Dockers. “We were sticking to our plan, but we were just dishing up some garbage.” You can’t really fault his honesty there.
It’s a slightly more settled start for the home side in this term, a whole two minutes passing without a score, for a start. Missing in all of this has been Jack Riewoldt, who floated further up the ground in the first term but nails a long goal from 55 metres out on the set shot to start the second. The Tigers continue to press.
Richmond the 5th best team this season across 2nd, 3rd & 4th quarters if anyone’s tipping them to drop off. #AFLFreoTigers
— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) June 5, 2015
Most accurate 1st quarter (w/ 0 behinds) 8.0 Rd 10 2014 (v GWS) 8.0 Rd 12 2000 (v Lions) 8.0 Rd 10 1974 (v Fitz) 8.0 Rd 15 1941 (v Ess)
— Rhett Bartlett (@rhettrospective) June 5, 2015
Quarter time - Richmond lead by 30 points! Stunning scenes at Domain Stadium!
1st quarter Fremantle 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 8.1 (49)
Richmond miss! Yes, our first minor score of the game. Dustin Martin kicks it after running around the back of Steven Morris to receive a handpass and roost it from 50 out. He pulls it to the left and moments later once Freo have rebounded, Hayden Crozier hooks a chance of his own out on the full.
Now that I can breathe, I’m just basking in the knowledge that Richmond has just piled 9 goals on Fremantle in a single quarter. I’ll say it again, is Ross Lyon okay? Maybe not after watching Michael Walters spurn a gilt-edged chance with 20 seconds left before the first break. As the siren sounds the Tigers find themselves five goals up and the Dockers must be wondering what the hell just happened. As am I. More on that in a minute.
Dockers goal! 1st quarter (4:20 remaining) Fremantle 3.0 (18) vs Richmond 8.0 (48)
It’s hard to believe that there’s still 5 minutes left in this 1st quarter. The Dockers really need to produce something special to work their way back into it and a long running goal by the subbed-on Crozier here is another decent building block. Hardwick will be fuming if his side squanders much more of this lead before the break.
Dockers goal! 1st quarter (5:49 remaining) Fremantle 2.0 (12) vs Richmond 8.0 (48)
Hayden Ballentyne pulls one back for the Dockers but Troy Chaplin’s made him earn it. He marks overhead just inside 50 and gets collected by the big Tiger defender. Great stuff. He doesn’t win a 50 but converts a shot that was right on the end of his range. Boy did his side near that.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (7:26 remaining) Fremantle 1.0 (6) vs Richmond 8.0 (48)
I promise this is not RIchmond Football Club erotic fan fiction. The Tigers have kicked another. Brett Deledio has his second from a 25-metre set shot. Fremantle are rattled. They’re a rabble. I don’t even know how to describe this. It’s like watching Kraftwerk suffering a vicious crowd invasion during their set-opening song.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (8:59 remaining) Fremantle 1.0 (6) vs Richmond 7.0 (42)
Has anyone checked on Ross Lyon? Are there any sharp objects in the Fremantle coaching box? His team is copping an almost unprecedented spanking here and Richmond have got another! Seven goals straight! This time Steve Morris shoots off a handball to Shaun Grigg and the latter snaps truly from close range on his left. This is like a training drill.
INJURY NEWS: Michael Johnson has done a hammy! He’s subbed off! Absolute scenes at Domain Stadium. This is a crazy start.
MORE INJURY NEWS: Ty Vickery is looking proppy too.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (10:09 remaining) Fremantle 1.0 (6) vs Richmond 6.0 (36)
Fremantle are spellbound by Tyrone Vickery and Ben Griffiths. Repeat, by Tyrone Vickery and Ben Griffiths. Vickery has another goal now, a wobbly set shot from 35 metres out on a 45 degree angle. I don’t think even he can believe what’s happening.
“4 goals to zip. Am I seeing things?” asked reader Brendan Brown moments ago. His question’s already laughably out of date. “Is that dark coloured team Carlton?”
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (11:54 remaining) Fremantle 1.0 (6) vs Richmond 5.0 (30)
This just won’t let up. Griffiths has another, a snap from 40 metres out under immense pressure. The Tigers are on a rampage tonight. It’s hard to keep up.
Dockers goal! 1st quarter (12:46 remaining) Fremantle 1.0 (6) vs Richmond 4.0 (24)
Phew. The Dockers peg one back through Mat Taberner and not before time. Taberner crumbed a contest between Pavlich and Rance, expertly swooping close to goal and snapping from a tight angle. The home side needed that!
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (12:46 remaining) Fremantle 0.0 (0) vs Richmond 4.0 (24)
Ross Lyon’s side is under the pump. Big time. And now the Tigers have another, an audacious banana from Dustin Martin when he’s 40 metres out, straight in front! This game is drunk. It’s high. It’s going to break all of your furniture and spit on the carpet. Richmond is four goals clear!
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (14:35 remaining) Fremantle 0.0 (0) vs Richmond 3.0 (18)
What is going on? The Tigers have another! This time it’s Brett Deledio tumbling a long snap from 45 metres out after crumbing a contest. The Tigers have ambushed the home side. Scenes!
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (15:10 remaining) Fremantle 0.0 (0) vs Richmond 2.0 (12)
The Tigers have settled well in the early stages and go forward through Riewoldt. Michael Barlow rebounds and in doing so, sets up an absolute screamer for Nat Fyfe. Fyfe uses Anthony Miles as his own personal prop in this mark, planting both knees into the Tigers’ back and hauling in a real speccie. Wow! Poor Miles, he’s been “posterized” there. It was like Blake Griffin over Timofey Mozgov.
But... Richmond recover well to attack again and this time it’s Ben Griffiths who gets on the end of it and goals from far tougher territory than Vickery; 45 metres out near the boundary on the outer side. What a start for the Tigers!
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (18:16 remaining) Fremantle 0.0 (0) vs Richmond 1.0 (6)
The game gets under way with the now familiar sight of Aaron Sandilands shoveling the ball straight down the throat of Fyfe and the latter getting the centre clearance. It’s a hot footy inside 50 but the Tigers eventually clear.
It looks as though it is indeed Cotchin who’ll battle it out with Fyfe in the major one-on-one contest but a little more surprisingly, much-maligned Ty Vickery gives the Tigers the ideal start when he wobbles through a set shot from 30 metres out. First blood to Richmond.
Inspiring stuff from the Tigers...
Tigers banner #AFLFreoTigers @superfooty @heraldsunsport Perth pic.twitter.com/zkB1ukQy46
— Wayne Ludbey. (@WLudbey) June 5, 2015
Meanwhile, Trent Cotchin wins the toss and the Tigers will kick to the right of screen, which isn’t much help to you if you’re not actually watching I guess.
We’re six minutes away from the opening bounce
...and after scoffing down some wedges, I’m now in a more focused frame of mind for this game. Maybe that’s an approach that the Tigers should take; deep fried snacks as a performance enhancer. It worked for Tony Lockett. He’s a Hall of Fame legend now.
Anyway, 200-gamer Michael Johnson and his kids have just the Dockers through their banner. Good stuff. I’m not sure if it’s one of Johnson’s kids or a team mascot, but there’s also the heartwarming sight of a young boy in a number 7 guernsey trying to keep pace with Freo superstar Nat Fyfe as he sprints down for a bit of goal-kicking practice.
Our teams tonight
There’s been a late change for Freo with Lee Spurr to miss his first game of the season and Hayden Crozier coming in at the last minute. He’ll start as the sub for the Dockers and their opponents will go in as selected.
Fremantle
Clancee Pearce, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Tommy Sheridan, Paul Duffield, Nat Fyfe, Danyle Pearce, Michael Barlow, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters, Chris Mayne, Matthew Pavlich, Hayden Ballantyne, Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Stephen Hill, Nick Suban, Cameron Sutcliffe, Zac Clarke, Lachie Neale
SUB: Hayden Crozier
Richmond
Dylan Grimes, Jake Batchelor, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin, Anthony Miles, Trent Cotchin, Kamdyn McIntosh, Ben Griffiths, Shane Edwards, Steven Morris, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery, Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Brandon Ellis, Shaun Grigg, Taylor Hunt, Corey Ellis
SUB: Connor Menadue
Club legend Antoni Grover presenting Michael Johnson with his playing top for his 200th game #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/gFuAP7uKrN
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 5, 2015
Welcome, welcome, welcome!
It’s Friday night, ladder-leaders Fremantle are at home facing in-form Richmond and I, Russell Jackson, solemnly declare my intention to take you through all of the pulsating, jaw-grinding, lung-busting action from Domain Stadium. You can get me via email on russell.jackson@theguardian.com with all your pre-game predictions. Here’s a hot tip from me: that young Fyfe lad might do okay.
I’ll be back in a moment with tonight’s team line-ups but in the meantime, the broadcast is under way. “Should the players not be drinking?” asks Hamish McLachlan as Wayne Carey sits beside him nodding with earnest intent and not the slightest hint of irony. I assume they’re not talking about the players taking part tonight. I’m almost certain Ross Lyon wouldn’t allow that.
They’ve also just shown ‘the Gary Moorcroft mark’. There’s never a bad time for that.
Rusty is currently cracking his knuckles, stretching his webbing (not a euphemism), and just running through some last-minute calisthenics before he leaps into the hotseat to guide you through a cracking night’s footy.
In the interim here’s what he had to say about this encounter in today’s preview:
Remember that 1990s Channel Seven jingle? “Friday night’s a good night for football!” The vocals were Diet Jimmy Barnes, if memory serves correctly. Whoever was singing it was right and tonight finally marks the momentous point of the 2015 season at which the words “football”, “Friday night” and “interminable crud” are no longer synonymous.
Tonight it’s ladder-leading Freo at home to a suddenly buoyant Richmond. The Dockers’ evergreen veteran Michael Johnson will bring up his 200th game here as part of a defensive group which has now been labeled “miserly” more often than George Costanza.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has magnanimously promised a repeat dose of last week’s Dangerfield-on-Fyfe heavyweight bout in the middle, which either means that Trent Cotchin/Brett Deledio will square off with the midfield sensation (26 contested possessions, 14 clearances and 10 inside-50s? Is he man or machine?) or that Hardwick has walked us all into a cunning trap. A trap in which Fyfe still probably racks up 35 possessions and kicks 2 goals, but a trap nonetheless. The Tigers haven’t lowered their colours out west in the last few years but let’s be honest, Freo should get the job done against a middle-tier side a little lacking in attacking potency.
Read the rest of Russell’s round ten preview: here.
