AFL Round 22 Fremantle v Geelong: All the news and analysis as Patrick Dangerfield leads Cats to important win in Perth

It felt like a final at Optus Stadium on Saturday, writes ELIZA REILLY. And, despite the valiant effort of Fremantle’s young stars, it was a battled-hardened Cat who had the final say.

Some teams would shiver at the thought of losing their most important player.

Most would crumble if they lost two.

The majority wouldn’t survive without three.

And despite a valiant fight, Fremantle found themselves among the masses after a 11-point loss to Geelong.

This was the definition of an honourable loss. But it leaves the Dockers in a precarious spot with a fortnight to play and two challenges to come against fellow finals aspirants GWS and Port Adelaide.

“We are flat at the moment, but like I said to the players after the game, taking a couple of hits is a tough game and it’s going to deal some blows at times,” Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said post-match.

“But we’re not done.

“And I’m confident it won’t take much to get them back up and up for the challenge next week.”

Fremantle was already without captain Alex Pearce after he suffered his second fractured arm this season. Then the Dockers lost Josh Treacy to a knee injury, the club’s most improved player this season and a vital piece of the forward puzzle.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Fremantle pulled ruckman Sean Darcy from the game just minutes before the bounce after he failed to prove his fitness.

Patrick Dangerfield led the Cats to victory in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The knock-on effect was significant. It meant that the Dockers had to find a new marking target with Treacy so often the bailout down the line or the go-to inside 50.

It couldn’t be Jackson. He was busy doing the rucking in Darcy’s absence and was beaten by Rhys Stanley. Matt Taberner was the late inclusion but he’s only been seen four times at AFL level this season. Treacy’s replacement Pat Voss dropped three marks in the first half but redeemed himself with a powerful fend-off.

And Pearce’s absence would’ve been music to the ears of big Cat Jeremy Cameron, one of the most in-form players in the competition.

Mannagh to seal the game!#AFLFreoCatspic.twitter.com/lfjkiYh9NZ

— AFL (@AFL) August 10, 2024

It felt like a final.

And Patrick Dangerfield has played in plenty of those.

The Cats skipper imposed himself on the contest in the early stages of the final quarter and kicked a go-ahead goal when so many of his teammates struggled to convert. Just don’t mention that volley kick that could’ve sealed a win with four minutes to play.

Haunting the Dockers was the fact that they’d lost four games this year when they’ve led at three-quarter-time, the most fadeouts in the league. Fremantle started the final term with a five-point lead. And in the blink of an eye, the Cats had wrestled it back.

Enter Caleb Serong. The Dockers co-vice captain kicked three goals in addition to his crucial clearance and grunt work. But his goal in the final term to set-up a thrilling finish will be a prominent feature on highlights reels.

Caleb Serong powers past Tom Atkins and Jack Bowes. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

A holding pattern ensued as both teams maintained incredible intensity.

Fremantle, in patches, slipped back into conservative ball movement. Geelong continued to attack, even if it couldn’t convert.

And with 90 seconds to play, Shaun Mannagh made it game, set and match.

Efficiency was the tale of the tape, the Cats generating 22 set shots from 49 inside 50s.

And if you thought that Geelong was out of premiership contention, you are sorely mistaken. On Saturday night, the Cats are sitting in the top four. Fremantle, having let another close one slip, could slip as low as eighth if Carlton and the Western Bulldogs win.

Away from home against a team they’ve lost their past three too, the Cats conjured the hot start at Optus Stadium. Forged on elite pressure, Geelong kicked the first four goals of the game.

Shaun Mannagh sealed the game late in the final term. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

The Cats had come to play. But Fremantle has endured plenty of slow starts this year and often found a way back. Serong got the Dockers on the board with a classy kick as Fremantle started to settle in for the fight, equalling out most key statistical measures.

Jeremy Sharp’s desperation saved a goal against. Hayden Young burst out of the middle with his fatal left boot. Jordan Clark kicked a major in his milestone game against his former side. And the Dockers were suddenly humming.

Fremantle started to play with more confidence and trust in each other. But the question was always going to be whether the Dockers could clean up their inside 50 efficiency, an area that let them down in the second term.

Originally published as AFL Round 22 Fremantle v Geelong: All the news and analysis as Patrick Dangerfield leads Cats to important win in Perth