FREMANTLE'S FINALS AMBITIONS CLEAR AS POWERFUL WIN OVER CARLTON KEEPS THEM IN THE TOP...
0Fremantle's finals ambitions clear as powerful win over Carlton keeps them in the top four
Fremantle have overcome a herculean performance from Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps to post a 35 point win at Perth Stadium. Carlton suffered a huge blow in the opening minutes of Saturday night's match when big man Marc Pittonet suffered a game ending knee injury. The Dockers controlled most aspects of the contest. and opened up a 38 point lead during the third quarter. But Cripps simply refused to give up. with his three goal second half dragging his team back into the match. Carlton twice closed to within 21 points in the final quarter. but the Dockers ended the match with a bang to seal the 14.13 (97) to 9.8 (62) victory. The result improved Fremantle's record to 5 1. while Carlton slipped to 4 2. Pittonet suffered a suspected PCL injury to his left knee after clashing knees with Fremantle big man Sean Darcy in a ruck contest. Darcy was subbed out of the game with concussion after copping an accidental boot to the head from Charlie Curnow in the third quarter. Cripps. in his return from a hamstring injury. finished the match with 32 disposals. eight clearances and 3.1. while former Docker Adam Cerra was booed by the sellout crowd for every one of his 32 disposals and seven clearances. Fremantle forwards Rory Lobb and Lachie Schultz booted three goals apiece. while midfielder Andrew Brayshaw was influential with 27 disposals. eight tackles. and seven clearances. Dockers backmen Luke Ryan. Griffin Logue. Alex Pearce. and Brennan Cox were rock solid against Carlton's potent forward line. The Blues overcame Pittonet's early exit and a knee injury scare to Harry McKay to take a four point lead into quarter time. But the weight of numbers eventually paid dividends for the Dockers in the second term. with Michael Walters proving crucial in the six goal blitz. Walters booted his first after catching Cerra holding the ball. And he had the crowd off their seats when he dribbled through his second a short time later to give Fremantle a 19 point lead at the long break. The inside 50m stat read 32 15 in favour of Fremantle at half time. but Carlton's efficiency up forward kept them in the match. Fremantle threatened to blow the game apart in the third quarter but Cripps kept Carlton within striking distance with two goals. And when he nailed a long range bomb in the final term. the Blues were a chance of snatching victory. But two goals to Sam Switkowski snuffed out the challenge and ensured Fremantle stayed in second spot on the ladder. Port get off the mark with big win over horrific Eagles Port Adelaide champion Robbie Gray has suffered another knee injury in a breakthrough 84 point belting of West Coast. Gray limped off as the Power banked a first win of the season. 18.9 (117) to 4.9 (33) on Saturday. Port's triple club champion was playing just his third game this season after previous knee and COVID 19 issues. Gray's injury. initially diagnosed as a jarred knee. came as the Power overwhelmed the lacklustre Eagles with seven goals to none in a second term spree. The Power entered Adelaide Oval on the club's worst ever start to a season — five straight losses. But they jump from bottom to 14th on the ladder after Todd Marshall (five goals) starred in the second quarter assault. The Eagles. in the mire in 17th spot with one solitary win. held sway in a dour opening quarter — 1.2 apiece. Then. the Power surged as recruit Jeremy Finlayson (five goals) and Karl Amon book ended a seven goal burst in just 25 minutes. Marshall booted three goals in a dozen minutes to delight Port's 28.587 strong home crowd. The Power were triggered by the dynamic Connor Rozee. who had 20 disposals to half time and 31 for the match. Port's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines was also instrumental in the blitz — on return after a heart scare in an April 7 game. the midfielder's 16 first half disposals included six inside 50s. Port's 21 to seven inside 50s for the second quarter included Kane Farrell's goal from near a boundary line in his...
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