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AFL Sunday: Dockers savaged after embarrassing loss

FREMANTLE has been blasted after an embarrassing performance which saw Port Adelaide fall painfully short of history.

James Matthey and Alex Blair
11 min read
April 3, 2017 - 7:45AM
It’s been a tough night for the Dockers in Adelaide.
It’s been a tough night for the Dockers in Adelaide.

Live: AFL Sunday

Welcome to AFL Sunday, our coverage of today’s matches:

Geelong defeated North Melbourne 112-111

Melbourne defeated Carlton 86-64

Port Adelaide defeated Fremantle 145-56

ROUND two of the AFL season wrapped up on Sunday with a nailbiter, a historic win and an embarrassing loss.

Geelong, despite being down more than 20 points early on in the match, pulled off a thrilling victory against North Melbourne. The Demons moved to a 2-0 for the first time since 2005 by outlasting Carlton but the biggest win of the night went to Port Adelaide. The Power blasted the Dockers by a huge 89-point margin to send Freo fans reeling.

7:35pm

‘Putrid’: Dockers embarrassed in monumental loss

Not much seemed to go right for the Dockers on Sunday.
Not much seemed to go right for the Dockers on Sunday.

Fremantle was subjected to a demolition job, falling horribly behind in the race as Port Adelaide shredded through their defence.

The Dockers looked to be steadying the ship early in the third quarter with three goals in a row, but their comeback wasn’t to be.

They lost to an incredible 89-point margin, the second highest ever seen against Port Adeliade in the history of the competition.

Fans took to Twitter to slam the Western Australian unit, and they didn’t hold back.

Port Adelaide’s elusive forward Robbie Gray has slotted six goals in the colossal victory.

The Power banked consecutive wins with a resounding 22.13 (145) to 8.8 (56) triumph at Adelaide Oval — they’re table-toppers after two rounds. The winless Dockers are anchored in last spot on the ladder after a lacklustre display.

Port kicked the initial six goals and made easy road kill of their visitors. Gray was central in the opening blitz, kicking two and setting up another within 15 minutes of play to delight the 38,388-strong Port crowd.

The Dockers cruelled their efforts with sloppy disposal — by halftime, when they trailed 11.8 to 3.3, the visitors had recorded 38 turnovers and 20 clangers. While Gray (30 possessions) ran rampant, fellow forwards Charlie Dixon (four goals), Chad Wingard (two goals) and Brett Eddy (two goals) were productive while Ollie Wines capped his superb 30-disposal performance with two goals. Wines led a dominant Port midfield with Brad Ebert (28 touches), captain Travis Boak (25 touches) and second-gamer Sam Powell-Pepper (25 disposals) all prominent.

And Port’s defence, despite the late withdrawal of halfback Hamish Hartlett because of illness, was miserly against a misfiring Freo forward line — the visitors couldn’t find a multiple goalkicker in the game.

Fremantle’s captain Nat Fyfe gathered 30 disposals and kicked a goal and the tenacious Lachie Neale was the visitor’s standout with 34 touches and a goal. Brothers Brad and Stephen Hill battled gamely against the flow, collecting 31 and 24 disposals respectively but there were few other shining lights for the Dockers.

And the outlook doesn’t get brighter for Ross Lyon’s side with a home match against reigning premiers Western Bulldogs next Saturday night. Port meet arch rival and fellow unbeaten outfit Adelaide, also on Saturday night, in a clash of the AFL’s top two.

— with AAP

5:48pm

Demons claim 12-year first

Max Gawn and the Demons had a cracker of a match.
Max Gawn and the Demons had a cracker of a match.

Melbourne have overcome bogey side Carlton by 22 points at the MCG to start their AFL season with two consecutive wins.

The Demons went in to Sunday’s clash having lost nine of their past 10 encounters against the Blues but prevailed 13.8 (86) to 9.10 (64) in a scrappy affair in front of 46,727 fans.

Carlton trailed by as much as 24 points but hit the front for the first time when Matthew Wright kicked his third goal of the match in the 15th minute of the third term.

Melbourne’s mental demons looked set to get the better of them as they went in to the last quarter three points in arrears.

Carlton’s stifling defence proved a tough nut to crack for the most part but a spectacular chase and tackle by Demons livewire Jeff Garlett on Sam Docherty settled the contest.

Garlett kicked his third goal of the game from the resulting free kick to put his side up by 15 points with just over three minutes remaining on the clock. Docherty’s mistake was a rare blemish for the defender who was among his side’s best players with 28 touches and 10 marks, with skipper Marc Murphy (32 possessions) also outstanding.

Exciting Demons youngster Clayton Oliver followed up his 36-disposal effort in last week’s win over St Kilda with an eye-catching 34-possession performance. Christian Salem, Dom Tyson and co-captain Nathan Jones were also important in the hard-fought victory.

Melbourne escaped unscathed on the injury front but will nervously await the AFL match review panel’s assessment of the game.

In an at times spiteful encounter, Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis were involved in skirmishes, with Sam Rowe and Patrick Cripps respectively, which will surely attract close scrutiny.

Melbourne will attempt to keep their winning run going when they face Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, while the Blues will look to rebound against Essendon on Sunday at the MCG.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide has anihliated Fremantle in the second quarter, taking a 74-21 lead going into halftime. Power veteran Robbie Gray scored three of the Power’s 11 goals, completely dominating the Dockers’ three goals and three behinds.

— with AAP

5:10pm

Tensions flare in heated brawl

Blues star Matthew Wright kicked his third goal of the match as Carlton went five in a row against the Demons.

The surge from the Blues put them ahead on the scorecard just before the close of the third quarter, igniting tensions between the players. Demons star Jordan Lewis caught the attention of opposition players after pushing Patrick Cripps, resulting in a shove behind the back from Jacob Weitering. Players rushed into the erupting brawl as the ref tried to break up the madness.

4:10pm

Geelong takes nailbiting victory over Kangaroos

The Cats put a dampener on the Kangaroos’ spirits at Etihad Stadium
The Cats put a dampener on the Kangaroos’ spirits at Etihad Stadium

Geelong have stormed back to beat North Melbourne by one point in an epic AFL match at Etihad Stadium.

When George Horlin-Smith goalled from a free kick with two minutes left, it was the first time the Cats had led.

They then held on to win 17.10 (112) to 17.9 (111), kicking five goals to one in the last quarter.

The Kangaroos were given little chance, especially when star ruckman Todd Goldstein was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury.

But North were outstanding, first jumping Geelong in the opening quarter for a four-goal lead.

Geelong predictably fought back to trail by a goal at half time but North kicked clear again in the third term to lead by 32 and nearly looked home. Captain Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield had massive last quarters to lead the late Geelong surge.

The Cats also made a crucial move in the third term, temporarily shelving the experiment of playing Harry Taylor as a forward and putting him back into defence.

The much-decorated key defender helped settle the Cats as they steadily loosened North’s hold.

North midfielder Shaun Higgins was best afield, while Trent Dumont was superb for much of the match in a defensive role on Dangerfield through the midfield. The Kangaroos put fierce physical pressure on Geelong and once again, questions will be asked of the Cats for another lapse during a game after their poor opening term.

While the ‘Roos out-tackled Geelong, they will pay a price for their aggression. Late call-up Braydon Preuss was reported after he cannoned into the back of Jackson Thurlow at a marking contest.

Defender Scott Thompson will also come under video scrutiny after he collected Dangerfield with a high forearm during the first quarter.

Daniel Menzel was outstanding for the Cats with four goals.

While fellow Geelong forward Tom Hawkins also kicked four, he gave away five free kicks and Robbie Tarrant outplayed him.

North captain Jack Ziebell bravely played out the game despite a heavy knock in the third quarter and ruckman Majak Daw also impressed for the ‘Roos.

— AAP

1.45pm

‘Absolutely weak act’

Scott Thompson had clearly decided the best way to stop Patrick Dangerfield was to hurt him.

The reigning Brownlow medallist is a ball magnet and Thompson roughed him up early in North Melbourne’s clash against Geelong. Dangerfield won the ball in a contest and ended up on the turf before Thompson came down over the top of him and smashed his face with his elbow.

It’s likely he’ll come under scrutiny from the match review panel for the act.

The Kangaroos’ physical start paid off as they went to quarter-time with a 38-13 lead.

Majak Daw was one of their best, kicking a goal as the Cats were unable to match their intensity.

1pm

Collingwood’s recruiting ‘disaster’

Daniel Wells left North Melbourne to join Collingwood.
Daniel Wells left North Melbourne to join Collingwood.

Former Richmond star Nathan Brown has taken aim at Collingwood’s recruitment strategy before the 2017 season.

The Pies added experience to their list this year rather than banking on new talent at the draft, and Brown doesn’t believe that’s an approach you can justify when you haven’t played finals since 2013.

Brown suggested Eddie McGuire’s club needed to invest in the future and look to rebuild rather than rely on stopgap measures. Ahead of this season the Pies picked up 32-year-old Daniel Wells from North Melbourne, 28-year-old Chris Mayne from Fremantle and 29-year-old Lynden Dunn from Melbourne

“Collingwood, the biggest and most famous club in Australian rules football, probably in Australia, their off season recruiting has been a disaster,” Brown said on the Sunday Footy Show. “It’s a Hail Mary what this recruiting was.

“When you’ve got young players like (Brodie) Grundy, (Adam) Treloar, (Darcy) Moore, (Jordan) De Goey you need to top up with younger players, go to the draft to get younger players.

“What they did is what Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney have done. But they’ve been up the top of the ladder and they’re allowed to do that. They topped up with players when they were third, fourth, second on the ladder and they win premierships.

“In the last decade Brisbane, Richmond and Carlton have all tried to top up with senior players and it hasn’t worked because they’ve been down the bottom end of the table.

“In round one (Daniel) Wells was too unfit to play, he came down overweight and underdone and (Chris) Mayne wasn’t picked in the first side.

“This recruiting, I can’t call it a strategy, I didn’t get it when they did it and still don’t get it now. Stevie Wonder could see it wasn’t going to work. Collingwood has made a big mistake here.”

Collingwood is winless in 2017 after losing to the Western Bulldogs in round one Richmond in round two.

11.20am

Gold Coast has a ‘bad stench’

The Suns will be hoping the only way is up.
The Suns will be hoping the only way is up.

We’re only two rounds in but is it already time for the Gold Coast Suns to hit the panic button?

A first up defeat to the Brisbane Lions, who finished second last in 2016, has been followed by a humiliating 160-58 loss to the GWS Giants on Saturday.

There was no greater illustration of the gulf between the AFL’s two newest clubs than the four quarters played out at Spotless Stadium. The Giants — who have grown from boys into men since coming into the competition in 2012 — played in last year’s preliminary final but the Suns have continued to languish around the lower rungs of the ladder.

Based on what we’ve seen in 2017, it doesn’t look like the Suns’ fortunes are about to change any time soon. Sports broadcaster Gerard Whateley said the Queensland side’s performance was an “embarrassment”.

“To roll out in round two and get beaten by a fellow expansion team by 102 points is nothing short of an embarrassment,” Whateley said on ABC program Offsiders.

“On the evidence that we’ve seen so far, losing to Brisbane first up and getting ambushed and not being prepared for what was coming then getting decimated yesterday ... not a lot of it (problems at the club) has been solved.”

The Suns have failed to make the finals in any of their six seasons. Journalist and broadcaster Kelli Underwood said Saturday’s performance is another black mark against a club that has struggled for too long.

“I watched the first two minutes of that game and thought straight away this has got triple figures written all over it and there’s been a bad stench emanating from the Gold Coast for several years now,” Underwood said.

“(Coach) Rodney Eade is in the last year of his three-year deal, he has 10 wins from 46 games. He turns 59 on Tuesday, it’s not going to be a happy birthday at all.”

She says the fact young stars like Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn) and Dion Prestia (Richmond) left the club in the off-season pointed to problems on the Gold Coast.

“You just have to look at the exodus over summer,” Underwood said. “O’Meara, Prestia, even Gary Ablett put his hand up and asked if he could leave, you don’t need to be in the inner sanctum to know that’s a club that’s got a lot of issues.”

Former AFL player Brendan Fevola said the shocking performance may cost Eade his job.

11am

Cameron getting his groove back

Jeremy Cameron is moving in the right direction.
Jeremy Cameron is moving in the right direction.

GWS Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron’s scintillating start to the AFL season, work rate and bid to become a more complete player have earned praise from his coach and namesake.

Cameron added six goals in the club’s 102-point drubbing of Gold Coast on his 24th birthday on Saturday, to the four he booted in his side’s opening round loss to the Crows.

Giants’ coach Leon Cameron said his key forward had also performed well in pre-season and intra-club hit-outs in the two weeks leading into the first round. He has topped the Giants’ goalkicking list in each of their first five seasons, passing 50 in three of those campaigns.

“It’s not about hitting the scoreboard, it’s about his work rate and his work rate has been first class which is pleasing,” Leon Cameron said. “He worked like a centre half forward should work (against Gold Coast) and that's up the ground and back as well, so every game he plays he reads the play better, he understands moments a little bit better.”

Jeremy Cameron earned All-Australian honours in just his second season, but there’s been a perception among some pundits he hasn’t kicked on from there as much as expected.

“Somewhere along the line you’re going to come back to the pack and people are going to start working you out and the next few years Jeremy still finds a way to hit the scoreboard,” Leon Cameron said.

“But he’s working through other areas of his game that he wants to be better at when he’s not hitting the scoreboard and that's the pleasing part for me.

“Over the month of footy that he’s played regardless of whether it’s been AFL competition or practice matches, he’s working at areas that he wants to work on constantly to become a more complete player.”

The coach also lauded the efforts of his All-Australian half forward Toby Greene, who on Saturday became the first player drafted by GWS to play 100 games for the club.

Greene started his AFL life as a high possession-getting midfielder, but has successfully reinvented himself as a goalkicking small forward, who still gets plenty of ball.

“He epitomises what we want to stand for as a footy club, and that is you want to be able to compete,” Leon Cameron said.

He expected key forward Jon Patton to be fit for next Saturday’s game against North Melbourne in Hobart, after he was a late withdrawal from the Suns match with a hip issue.

— AAP

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