Dockers hold off surging Magpies
Collingwood answered some critics against the AFL leaders but Fremantle held on for a thrilling seven-point win in Perth last night.
The Dockers finished strongly with the last two goals to win 12.8 (80) to 11.7 (73).
Michael Walters kicked four goals for Fremantle and Brownlow Medal favourite Nat Fyfe was again best on ground with 32 possessions and two goals.
Alex Fasolo kicked two goals for Collingwood while Taylor Adams had 29 disposals and Dane Swan 26.
Travis Varcoe also did well defensively on Hayden Ballantyne in his 150th AFL game.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was relieved to get the win but saw areas that the Dockers still to improve to remain on top of the ladder.
“You’re always relieved and pleased to really bank another four points but you don’t want to just get seduced by ladder positions so we know we need to improve,” Lyon said.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was happy with what his team showed against the leaders despite the loss.
“The effort was excellent. Freo had to play pretty well to withstand our pressure and get the result,” Buckley said.
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“Not many teams can withstand that onslaught of pressure for that long. It’s a strong effort on our behalf to continue to put that on and obviously by Freo to be able to buffer it enough to be able to get the win.”
FREMANTLE 3.2 7.4 9.6 12.8 (80)
COLLINGWOOD 3.4 7.6 9.6 11.7 (73)
Goals: Fremantle: M Walters 4 N Fyfe 2 S Hill 2 C Pearce H Ballantyne L Neale M Barlow. Collingwood: A Fasolo 2 J Elliott 2 J Blair J Crisp J de Goey P Seedsman S Pendlebury T Adams T Broomhead.
Best: Fremantle: N Fyfe L Neale S Hill M Walters L McPharlin G Ibbotson D Pearce. Collingwood: D Swan T Adams T Varcoe S Pendlebury N Brown M Williams.
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Jeff Dalgleish, Shane McInerney.
Official Crowd: 37,145 at Domain Stadium.
