Taberner’s super seven caps off Dons’ dirty day

Essendon’s win-loss record has slipped to 1-4 ahead of a potentially season-defining Anzac Day clash with Collingwood next Monday, after a devastating loss to Fremantle on Sunday.

The Dockers kicked 10 unanswered goals between the 27th-minute mark of the second quarter and the 13th-minute mark of the final term, five of them coming from the boot of Matt Taberner, who finished with a career-high seven majors.

Matt Taberner celebrates one of his seven goals for the Dockers.Credit: AFL Photos

It was Fremantle’s handball game that broke the game open. They amassed 50 handball receives in the third term, after having 61 to the main break. That gave them 16 looks inside-50 for nine scoring shots and six goals.

The Bombers had no answers for Fremantle’s momentum, having just one shot at goal in the third term – a running attempt from the pocket by Devon Smith which hit the post.

That saw them go from three points down at half-time to 40 points in arrears at the final change, and despite having the crowd heavily in their favour at Marvel Stadium, they were unable to overthrow the Dockers. They kicked three consolation goals in a row late in the final term, but it proved to no avail.

Caleb Serong of the Dockers and Ben Hobbs of the Bombers battle for possession. Credit: AFL Photos

The win gave Fremantle a 4-1 record, and while their wins have come against Essendon, GWS, West Coast and Adelaide, they put themselves in a position to consolidate a top-four spot against Carlton this Saturday.

For Essendon, they face a spirited Collingwood in what will no doubt be another blockbuster Anzac Day contest, but risk slipping to 1-5, which would make a finals appearance in 2022 all the more difficult.

Anti-climactic first half

Essendon coach Ben Rutten.Credit: AFL Photos

It was a first half short on highlights, but young forward Nic Martin gave the Bombers’ fans something to get excited about.

The fourth-gamer scooped up a loose handball and snapped his side’s first goal of the game from about 30 metres out, and then kicked the opening goal of the second term to keep his side’s nose in front.

The Dockers, however, found their mojo and kicked three of the last four goals of the half, before a moment of indicipline gave the Bombers an unlikely shot on goal after the siren.

Sam Switkowski was caught holding the ball by Nik Cox near the boundary line about 75 metres out, but when he heard the siren sound, he dropped the ball, thinking the play had ended.

But the umpire paid a 50-metre penalty, taking Cox to about 25 metres out. However, the 199-centimetre key tall couldn’t convert the shot at goal, leaving his side three points shy of Fremantle at the main break.

Taberner’s power on display

Taberner reminded Fremantle fans why he’s so important to the Dockers’ winning chances, and perhaps finals hopes, kicking seven goals – four in the third term when the game was up for grabs.

Stringing games together has always been Taberner’s Achilles heel, but he showed between rounds one and 10 last year that with a consistent run of footy, he can provide Fremantle with a terrific focal point ahead of the ball. He kicked 27 goals in that period last year.

The Dockers’ other key forward – Rory Lobb – had very little impact, with just five kicks, seven handballs and one behind, but Taberner’s performance masked that.

Taberner had only once kicked five goals in a game before Sunday – back in 2016 in an 83-point win over the Brisbane Lions.

Heppell’s bright afternoon

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell produced his best outing for 2022, proving one of the shining lights in a disappointing evening for his side.

The 29-year-old had an equal game-high 19 disposals in the first half, to go with seven contested possessions, four marks and four rebound-50s.

He finished with a game-high 12 intercept possessions, while his haul of 34 disposals was his first above 30 since the 2019 elimination final loss to West Coast.

Darcy Parish was the other Bomber of note with 33 touches.

FREMANTLE 2.2 6.5 12.8 16.11 (107)
ESSENDON 1.4 5.8 5.10 8.11 (59)

GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 7, Banfield 2, Frederick 2, Darcy 2, Switkowski 2, Brayshaw.
Essendon: Waterman 2, Martin 2, Cox, Guelfi, Draper, Caldwell.
BEST
Fremantle: Taberner, Brayshaw, Ryan, Pearce, Serong, Darcy.
Essendon: Heppell, Parish, Kelly, Smith, Guelfi.

VOTES
Matt Taberner (Fremantle) 8
Dyson Heppell (Essendon) 7
Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle) 7
Luke Ryan (Fremantle) 6
Alex Pearce (Fremantle) 6

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