Electric Michael Walters performance leads Fremantle to victory over Port Adelaide

This will be remembered as the day Michael Walters announced himself to the AFL world. The Fremantle forward kicked six goals to inspire his side to victory against Port Adelaide.

The midfield battle between Travis Boak and Nat Fyfe was one of the highlight’s of Fremantle’s clash with Port Adelaide. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Michael Walters arrived as an AFL superstar at Optus Stadium in a Fremantle unit proving the revelation of 2019.

Electric Walters delivered the knockout blow for a third straight game with his fifth of a career-best six-goal haul following an inspired lead ahead of Port Adelaide skipper Tom Jonas. Having kicked a decisive point and goal against Brisbane and Collingwood, Walters stepped up again in a captivating contest.

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Port Adelaide took a one-point lead into the final term but were decimated by a 50-26 contested possession, 13-3 clearance and 19-5 inside 50 dominance. Nat Fyfe had 37 touches 22 contested for the game while Brad Hill (30) pierced five inside 50s when it mattered. In addition to six goals, Walters won 11 contested possessions in a 21 point win.

One run down tackle from Angus Brayshaw on Dan Houston — with the game in the balance — was the ‘one percenter’ all teams need in a junkyard scrap.

Fremantle prevailed in another battle of wills, the league high ninth final quarter it has won this season. Final term goal from Brandon Matera (3) and Walters settled the result in a scoreless final term from Port.

Michael Walters celebrates one of his six goals in Fremantle’s win over Port Adelaide. Picture: Image/Richard Wainwright.

Port Adelaide left with furrowed brows as Fremantle won a top eight edge.

Having entered the game equal on points, Fremantle skips ahead to a 7-5 win-loss record. Port sits precariously with a 6-6 record while it waits for the return of established stars Ollie Wines, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert and Tom Rockliff.

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This was always going to be intriguing test of philosophies. Ken Hinkley’s revamped, high possession style against Ross Lyon’s hard line defence that has upset AFL’s smoothest movers Collingwood and GWS this season.

Fremantle now have an offensive edge when at home — to back its renowned defence. Port won one of six games to finish 2018 after worked out by Lyon in round 17. It’s not a pattern Port can replicate if it wants to feature in September.

Michael Walters is lifted by Brad Hill after his best on ground performance in Fremantle’s win. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright.

HAMMER TIME

Hamish Hartlett had 420 days of contemplation between AFL games and it showed as he let loose with dynamic, 16 touch first half. Hartlett cut up Fremantle from halfback in Port’s five-goal first term including a sublime assist for Paddy Ryder. Port has missed Hartlett’s precision delivery.

Hinkley and assistant Brett Montgomery spoke glowingly of the vice-captain labelling his return a knee reconstruction one of the moments that make a season. Hartlett didn’t disappoint despite battling cramp. A bone-jarring collision with Brennan Cox in the final term underpinned why Hinkley says Hartlett represents ‘the way football should be played’.

RUCK ROOKIE

Fremantle was stripped of its lead ruckman Rory Lobb and exceptional full back Alex Pearce. However it was unheralded Sean Darcy who manned up against the expected ruck dominance of Scott Lycett and Paddy Ryder. Darcy was immense in the final term as the Dockers engine room took control.

The midfield battle between Travis Boak and Nat Fyfe was one of the highlight’s of Fremantle’s clash with Port Adelaide. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

BOAK v FYFE

Ken Hinkley swung Travis Boak — after a slow start- on to Nat Fyfe in one of the great old fashioned match ups. Memories of Fyfe’s showdown with Patrick Dangerfield at Adelaide Oval flooded back. Fyfe was running amok in the first term but Boak challenged the Dockers skipper in a showcase of two supreme athletes. Fyfe had 17 touches in the first half but Boak made him accountable in the second term with three score involvements and two clearances.

STAR RISING

Kane Farrell has been marked as a supreme talent since emerging in a fine Showdown display last season. Michael Walters is an all-star presence but it was second year forward Farrell who was going goal for goal with him.

Farrell was the mobile target — whether on the run or taking contested marks that Port needed in a forward set up without injured Brad Ebert and Charlie Dixon.

WONDER WALTERS

When Fremantle isolated Walters and Jesse Hogan deep inside 50 the pair looked a class above sharing five second quarter goals which answered Port’s five goal first term salvo.

Great players inspire others.

SCOREBOARD

FREMANTLE 3.2 8.4 12.6 15.10 (100)

PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 7.5 12.7 12.7 (79)

GOALS

Fremantle: Walters 6, Hogan 3, Matera 3, Bewley, Langdon, Cox,

Port Adelaide: Farrell 4, Ryder 2, Westhoff, Boak, Howard, Motlop, Powell-Pepper, Butters,

BEST

FREMANTLE: Walters, Fyfe, Hill, Logue, Mundy, Langdon

PORT: Boak, Farrell, R Gray, Hartlett, Burton, Westhoff

INJURIES

Fremantle: Nil

Port Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, Deboy, Hosking, Dore

Official crowd: 37,451 at Optus Stadium