GEELONG’S hopes of winning this year’s minor premiership have suffered a big blow after they slumped to a shock 34-point AFL loss to Fremantle in Perth.
The Cats led by 10 points early in the third term of Saturday’s clash at Optus Stadium, but Fremantle booted the next seven goals on the way to the stunning 14.11 (95) to 9.7 (61) win.
Geelong will still finish round 20 on top of the ladder courtesy of their superior percentage, but they could be joined on 14 wins by both West Coast and Brisbane.
The Cats have now lost four of their past seven matches, with their inability to beat an injury-riddled Fremantle sure to raise questions about their premiership credentials.
Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe starred with 27 disposals 11 clearances and two goals, while Aaron Sandilands (39 hitouts), Brad Hill, and Michael Walters were also influential.
Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield tallied just 16 disposals and one clearance, while Gary Rohan suffered a game-ending ankle injury in the third quarter.
Fremantle, who lost to Geelong by 133 points last year, entered Saturday’s match with a series of negative headlines swirling around the club.
The loss of Rory Lobb, Nathan Wilson, and Luke Ryan during the week robbed Fremantle of further class and quality, on top of an already alarming injury list.
But their win will give coach Ross Lyon and the club much-needed breathing space, with Fremantle (9-10) still in the finals race with three rounds to go.
It was the Tom Hawkins show in the opening term, with the star Geelong spearhead booting three goals.
It could have been four if he had decided to take a 50m set shot instead of passing to teammate Dangerfield midway through the quarter.
Fremantle created enough chances in front of goal, but their poor finishing was costly.
Geelong’s lead expanded to 15 points when Hawkins set up Gary Ablett for a goal at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter.
But the rest of the term belonged to Fremantle, with their frenetic pressure turning the match on its head.
Goals to Bailey Banfield, Mitch Crowden, and Sean Darcy gave the Dockers a three-point edge at halftime, with the home crowd giving Fremantle’s players a standing ovation as they walked to the rooms.
Geelong booted two quick goals to start the third quarter, but two goals to Fyfe and a major to Walters gave Fremantle an eight-point buffer at the final change.
Fremantle veteran David Mundy had just five disposals to his name at three- quarter time playing as a forward, but was important when the game was there to be won in the last term as the Dockers ran riot.
© AAP 2019
FREMANTLE 2.4 6.7 9.8 14.11 (95)
GEELONG 5.1 6.4 8.6 9.7 (61)
Goals: Fremantle: D Mundy 2 E Langdon 2 M Crowden 2 N Fyfe 2 A Brayshaw B Banfield B Matera M Walters S Darcy T Duman. Geelong: T Hawkins 3 C Guthrie 2 G Ablett G Rohan J Clark T Kelly.
Best: Fremantle: N Fyfe B Hill M Walters E Langdon M Crowden A Sandilands. Geelong: T Stewart T Kelly T Hawkins G Ablett J Kolodjashnij.
Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Mathew Nicholls, Justin Power.
Official Crowd: 36,310 at Optus Stadium.
