AFL Round 14 North Melbourne v Fremantle: All the analysis and fallout from Perth thriller
The Dockers tried hard to lose and North did everything they could to win. But there’s still some shining lights for the Dockers, even if they only thing they should be feeling is relief.
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Relief.
It’s the only way to describe Fremantle’s great escape on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.
The Dockers tried hard to lose. North Melbourne did everything they could to win.
But a Luke Jackson mongrel punt late in the final term proved the difference between eighth and 16th on a night Fremantle would rather forget.
A six-point win over the Kangaroos after conceding five straight goals from the end of the third is underwhelming for a supposed finals contender.
But there’s still plenty the Dockers can take from it.
Fremantle has typically struggled after the bye, struggled in the wet, struggled to win the close ones.
The Dockers battled in all three departments and still have four points to show for it. In the past, it was a game Fremantle would’ve lost. They’re quickly becoming the hoodoo gurus.
“It was a tough game,” stand-in captain Caleb Serong told Fox Footy post-match. “They’re a really good contested team, looking at the stats.
“We knew it was going to be tough and we probably didn’t have our best day as a midfield but they’re the ones you need to fight out.
“We’re trying to shut it down and take the chaos out of it which is hard when they’re trying to do the complete opposite. They got a few looks but we just held on.”
In this one, Josh Treacy was swung behind the ball and took a game-saving mark in the wet. He handed possession back to the Kangaroos immediately after with a kick out on the full but the margin stood.
Jye Amiss could have fought harder to deny Riley Hardeman’s outstretched fingers from denying Pat Voss on the goal line. But he was the one to win the hardball on the deck and flick it up to Jackson for the winning goal.
Jy Simpkin’s desperate tackle set up Luke Parker’s leveller. Finn O’Sullivan determined spoil denied Michael Frederick. Cameron Zurhaar copped another heavy knock courtesy of Brennan Cox but bounced straight back up.
North Melbourne kicked four goals from five inside 50s to start the final quarter. Fremantle went back into its shell and lost shape in response to North’s pressure. And the Dockers’ 22-point three quarter time lead evaporated in rapid time.
“Our goal all along has been to be really competitive in games of footy,” Alastair Clarkson said post-game. “I think we’re showing our supporters and those in the footy community that we’re on the right path.”
North Melbourne had its moments. The Dockers never should’ve found themselves in that position. But they found a way to win after endless hours of scenario training over summer.
North Melbourne dominated most key statistics. Clearances, inside 50s and contested possession all landed in the Kangaroos favour.
North Melbourne’s tackling pressure was ferocious – a record 29 tackles inside 50 a key indicator of that.
“They probably beat us (in the contest) to be honest,” Serong said. “Their midfield is elite.
“Xerri in the ruck gives them first use in the ruck and his follow up is incredible. LDU is a star.
“They’re all strong. They’re all big bulls and they have a crack. You don’t have any easy games. Tonight was a tough, hard-fought game.
“I don’t think their record shows how competitive they’ve been.”
Playing with house money after a win against the Eagles last week, you can’t fault the Kangaroos’ intent. North Melbourne sold its soul and two games to the west and will return with one win, one honourable loss and $2 million.
But the ladder hides some sins and Fremantle has now won four straight games and will end round 14 in the top eight.
Serong and Andrew Brayshaw led the way as per usual. Veteran Nat Fyfe had a few handy touches in the final term. Voss continues to impress up forward. Murphy Reid is the future.
The big blight is a hamstring injury to Sam Switkowski who was leading the way in attack.
Time will tell whether this is the wake-up call the Dockers needed or the first warning sign of a 2025 pretender.
Scoreboard
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.1 4.3 6.5 10.7 (67)
FREMANTLE 2.5 7.6 9.9 10.13 (73)
BEST
Kangaroos: Serong, Brayshaw, Wagner, Voss, Ryan, Switkowski.
Dockers: Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, McDonald, Wardlaw, Powell.
GOALS
Kangaroos: Larkey 3, Parker 2, Sheezel, Fisher, Davies-Uniacke, Darling.
Dockers: Voss 3, Jackson 2, Wagner, Switkowski, Serong, Reid, Bolton, Konstanty.
INJURIES Kangaroos: Nil. Dockers: Switkowski (hamstring).
31,408 Optus Oval
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BRAD ELBOROUGH’S VOTES
3 Caleb Serong (FRE)
2 Harry Sheezel (NM)
1 Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
Originally published as AFL Round 14 North Melbourne v Fremantle: All the analysis and fallout from Perth thriller
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