Walyalup has outlasted Euro-Yroke by 17 points in a tight tussle at Marvel Stadium, 9.18 (72) to 8.7 (55), to sit just percentage outside the top eight.
In an exciting ruck duel between Rown Marshall and Luke Jackson, the Dockers struggled to convert their opportunities in front of goal to keep the Saints at arms length for most of the night.
That was until Justin Longmuir’s side kicked away in the fourth term with three goals to consolidate the four points, improving to 6-10 on the season.
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Meanwhile, the Saints’ season continues to plummet with a fifth loss in six games and a win-loss record of 3-7 as they remain entrenched in the bottom half of the table.
A week after both teams registered their lowest scores of the season, the trend continued as the Dockers put through nine behinds in a row to make hard work of their victory.
Back-to-back goals late in the fourth from Jaeger O’Meara to make it a 22-point lead secured the win for the Dockers in the Indigenous Round clash.
Jordan Clark (29 disposals) and Luke Ryan (27 touches and 13 marks) were instrumental in defence as the Dockers made it three wins from three games in Melbourne this season.
Saints ruck Rowan Marshall fought hard in the ruck with a brilliant 31 touches but the Dockers dominated inside 50 efficiency (58 per cent to 33) and clearances (49-34).
Anthony Caminiti got the Saints off to a flyer in the second half with the first three scoring shots.
His took a brilliant mark before slotting the next two scoring shots through for back-to-back goals in his return game to give the Saints a 10-point lead.
His forward teammates Mitch Owens also took a brilliant mark earlier in the second quarter which will put the pair in the running for mark of the round.
Owens kicked three-first half goals but it was the Dockers whop took control in the second half.
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There were no late changes for either side, with Zak Jones (St Kilda) and Tom Emmett (Fremantle) named the starting subs.
After Max King this week came under scrutiny for his indifferent form in 2024, Collingwood great Nathan Buckley noted he “couldn’t have a harder matchup” against Dockers skipper Alex Pearce.
Jimmy Webster, playing in his third game back from a seven-match suspension for his pre-season bump on Jy Simpkin, took out Michael Frederick with a big hit, but appeared to have eyes for the ball during the whole possession.
Fox Footy pundits think it was a fair play from Webster in contesting the ball.
“There’s a lot of concern for Frederick going back with the flight of the ball. That is just contesting the ball, isn’t it? I don’t think there’s much more Webster could’ve done,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said.
Collingwood great Nathan Buckley added: “This is the difficulty in our game, there is going to be contact like this periodically. The concern is obviously with Frederick and his status physically.”
In a sight of relief, Frederick, who was initially grounded for some time, came from the field on his own accord but was subbed out later in the term.
Frederick later appeared in OK spirits sitting up on the bench.
The Saints kicked the first two goals of the night including Paddy Dow hitting the scoreboard in his first game for the Saints.
Fremantle turned the tight later in the period, with Matt Johnson kicking the visitors’ first goal before Jeremy Sharp added another.
The Dockers led 3.2 (20) to 2.0 (12) at the first change.
Rowan Marshall and Luke Jackson were having some duel in the ruck in an exciting battle between two of the game’s best.
The Saints took the lead back midway through the period after Liam Ryan converted a set shot against his old side.
King took a big contested mark that could’ve extended St Kilda’s lead, but he missed the set shot.
“There’s some feeling in this one. This has become personal (between) these two (King and Pearce). (King) looks like he’s ready to scrap it out,” Dunstall said.
After missing a set shot minutes earlier, Jye Amiss made good on his next chance to give the Dockers the lead back.
Freo led 5.6 (36) to 5.3 933) at half-time.
Amiss converted a tough set shot early from distance — his second goal for the night — to get the Dockers back within four points.
“Dead eye Jye back in town!,” Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell exclaimed.
It was a tight tussle in the third term where neither side could get supremacy.
The Dockers missed multiple chances to take the lead, but enough to even the scores at three-quarter time, 6.11 (47) to 7.5 (47).
Freo missed multiple chances early in the fourth term, with Dunstall bemoaning: “They’re kicking themselves out of it.”
It appeared Sharp finally kicked one, but a goal review found that it was touched on the goalline by Marshall.
Josh Treacy wouldn’t mess up his opportunity, capitalising on a Saints turnover to finally kick one for Freo.
King could be in strife for a dangerous tackle on Pearce late in the term.
In a nail in the coffin, Jaeger O’Meara kicked a crucial goal from a set shot to mark a big win on the road from Longmuir’s side.
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Source Agencies
