Fremantle v Melbourne: All the news, intel and key takeaways from AAMI Community Series pre-season match

Melbourne will be sweating a knock to Jacob van Rooyen and won’t have liked the final score, but the sight of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca would have buoyed Demons fans.

Christian Petracca in action for the Demons. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

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Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca has made a successful return to the football field, more than eight months on from his life-threatening King’s Birthday injuries.

But the Demons didn’t get through their final pre-season hitout against Fremantle unscathed, losing Jacob van Rooyen to a back spasm in the first quarter.

A one goal first half combined with inaccuracy put Melbourne on the back foot, culminating in a 19-point loss as Fremantle tuned up for its top four push.

In front of a 7458 strong crowd at Rushton Park in Mandurah, an hour south of Perth, Petracca made an off-Broadway return to the field after a tumultuous 2024.

Clayton Oliver was back to his best. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Christian Petracca returned to the field. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The 29-year-old had the opening kick and clearance of the game after starting in the centre square. He also rotated forward and showed no signs of hesitancy despite a cracked rib at training in January.

Petracca finished with 33 disposals and 12 score involvements, working strongly in tandem with fellow midfield star Clayton Oliver (three goals and 28 disposals). The pair had 20 clearances between them.

Veteran goalsneak Michael Walters was the star for Fremantle with three goals. Overcoming pre-season knee surgery, the 34-year-old proved he still has plenty left in the tank with a skilful showing in attack.

Defenders Jordan Clark and Luke Ryan were Fremantle’s highest disposal winners as the Dockers continued to defend with the ball in hand.

Michael Walters was back to his best. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The Demons started the game in a frenetic manner but couldn’t get reward on the scoreboard. Slowly Fremantle, headlined by a strong contest method, began to take control.

The Dockers piled on five goals in the second quarter and despite Melbourne’s resurgence in the third term, Fremantle’s early buffer was enough.

Van Rooyen will be a test for round one after failing to complete the first quarter. The key forward came to the bench in discomfort for treatment and was soon ruled out of the game.

Ruck Max Gawn was also in the wars, copping two big knees to the back from Dockers forward Josh Treacy. And amid speculation he’ll seek a trade to Fremantle at the end of the season, Kysaiah Pickett spent the first three quarters on the bench.

Pickett will be unavailable for the first three matches of the season due to suspension but started the final quarter at the centre bounce.

NEW RECRUITS

Shai Bolton has already injected serious attacking flair into Fremantle’s forward 50. In a unique twist, Bolton’s first game back home in Western Australia was for the Indigenous All-Stars, playing managed minutes due to a calf injury. Suiting up for the first time as a Docker, Bolton didn’t need long to have an impact, kicking his first goal in purple on the stroke of the quarter time siren.

Shai Bolton was a livewire for the Dockers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

The 26-year-old could not be caught in traffic and almost every one of his touches was a score involvement. Bolton pushed up to several stoppages in the first half before starting deep in attack in the second, working well in tandem with veteran Michael Walters. Harry Sharp had a subdued outing but kicked a nice goal late after using his endurance to work slip into attack unguarded.

ROOKIE WATCH

First round pick Murphy Reid continues to press his case for a round one Dockers debut after another strong performance. Lining up at half-forward, Reid has quickly made an impression as one of the most skilful players on Fremantle’s list.

Could Murphy Reid line up in Round 1? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

His spatial awareness and look away handballs were a game changer in tight with Reid quickly proving he has more tricks than fringe midfield pair Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson. Mature age recruit Aidan Johnson was injected into the game when the Demons lost Jacob van Rooyen to a back spasm in the first quarter. The uncapped 24-year-old was competitive in the air and kicked his first goal late in the final term after several earlier attempts.

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Originally published as Fremantle v Melbourne: All the news, intel and key takeaways from AAMI Community Series pre-season match