Fremantle Dockers

2023 - 4 - 3

Demolition Derby: Dockers, injuries too much for decimated Eagles (AFL)

The margin did not reflect the high drama at Optus Stadium, as the Eagles showed great resilience to hold on with one fit player on the bench after injuries to ...

It was a quarter that concerned Justin Longmuir and would have served as a warning that things can go wrong quickly if the team stops competing at the source. The Dockers went away from what was working in the third quarter and were punished by a West Coast team that lifted its rating around the ball. Contested ball was back on level terms in the final quarter (35-35) and the only backflips happening were from Michael Frederick, who marked the last goal of the game with an aerobic celebration. He started as a ground-level midfielder at the first centre bounce, moved forward for the second, and then contested the third as a ruckman. The club will be desperate to regain star midfielder Elliot Yeo, with key defender Harry Edwards a likely replacement for McGovern. Ryan had his knee strapped and was asked to play on for a while before being pulled out of the game. A number of potential marks went to ground on Sunday, but his increased involvement with time in the midfield was a big step forward. Fremantle has put a focus on starting games fast and physical but failed to deliver in the opening two rounds. Cripps was in hospital post-match with a broken ankle, while Witherden will need to be assessed after a heavy collision with Jaeger O'Meara that could result in him entering concussion protocols. Luke Shuey was on fire early but succumbed to a hamstring injury, while McGovern's setback appeared a bad one. West Coast has endured more injury trauma than any club in the past two seasons, and so it could be again in 2023. Jackson had three different roles for the first three centre bounces on Sunday, setting the tone for his first Derby as a Docker.

Fremantle Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong wins second ... (The West Australian)

Caleb Serong put the onus on Fremantle's midfield to improve ahead of Western Derby 56 — and the young gun led from the front.

Sean Darcy (Fremantle) Caleb Serong (Fremantle) 3: Caleb Serong (Fremantle)

Freo blitz 'gutsy' Eagles amid 'injury carnage' (NEWS.com.au)

Fremantle may have claimed a massive 41-point Western Derby win but it was West Coast who finished the talking point after a day of absolute injury carnage.

Coach Adam Simpson was described as “like a proud father” on the bench as he continued to try and rally his troops, despite having no fit players to call on in the third quarter. With no fit players left on the bench as the likes of senior players Shuey, McGovern and Cripps were ruled out, the Eagles stood tall in the third quarter. First Luke Shuey limped off – after a best on ground first quarter. The Eagles had no rotations for at least five minutes in the third term and were limited to just one for patches of the final term before the decision was made to keep Ryan benched. The skipper was so frustrated, he lashed out and punched the dug out wall as he was subbed out with a hamstring injury. The Eagles were left with no fit players on the bench after the likes of Luke Shuey, Jeremy McGovern, Jamie Cripps and Alex Witherden were all ruled out with injury.

Fremantle Dockers forward Michael Frederick says his athletic flip in ... (PerthNow)

Michael Frederick has revealed his impressive back-flip in Fremantle's western derby win may have been a one-off and admitted there were some nerves around ...

“I don’t know what JL thinks of it or anything like that but probably just a one-off thing.” “I probably haven’t done it for a long time so I was a bit worried about doing it, but got it done,” Frederick said. “A little bit spur of the moment, I probably won’t do it again,” he said.

Fremantle Dockers forward Sam Switkowski thrilled with ... (The West Australian)

Sam Switkowski is enjoying his taste of the action in Fremantle's midfield as coach Justin Longmuir delivered on his promise to mix things up.

“It helps me get in the game as well. “We’ve got a trip to Adelaide over the next couple of weeks which is going to be really tough, the Crows had a good win over Port Adelaide on Saturday night.” “Obviously West Coast were pretty depleted in the second half so we were able to run over the top of them, but the competition is just going to get harder and harder from here.

Freo blitz 'gutsy' Eagles as 'injury carnage' rocks Western Derby: 3-2-1 (Fox Sports)

Freo blitz 'gutsy' Eagles as 'injury carnage' rocks Western Derby: 3-2-1.

Nearly broke his wrist!” Russell said as vision played of the wall punch. First Luke Shuey limped off – after a best on ground first quarter. Shuey, is he out of the game? The ball needs to be in quickly. Coach Adam Simpson was described as “like a proud father” on the bench as he continued to try and rally his troops, despite having no fit players to call on in the third quarter. First, West Coast’s best on ground Luke Shuey limped from the field with another soft tissue injury. The skipper was so frustrated, he lashed out and punched the dug out wall as he was subbed out with a hamstring injury. And it took just a few minutes for Jackson to cash in as he kicked his first goal for Fremantle with a brilliant snap. And the injury woes didn’t stop there for West Coast with Alex Witherden bravely putting his body on the line, as he was crunched in a big marking contest. McGovern was a huge blow as he grabbed high at his left hamstring as he was assisted from the field. The skipper’s frustration was clear when he punched the wall in the dugout as he was subbed out of the match. “First goal as a docker for Luke Jackson and what a masterstroke from the coach!

Luke Jackson's potential clouded Fremantle Dockers premiership ... (The West Australian)

The Dockers' high-priced recruit Luke Jackson brings plenty of promise and potential to the club, but is he the right player to advance Fremantle's flag ...

The Dockers and their fans were expecting to challenge for the top four this season off the back of a drought-breaking finals campaign in 2022. And instead of Fremantle having the next big thing in AFL, they are left with a conundrum. His best position is in the ruck, but he is muscling in on Sean Darcy’s territory, and the big man showed once again in the derby he is the Alpha of the centre circle with 52 hit outs and five clearances.