FREMANTLE 9.18 (72) d ST KILDA 8.7 (55)
Jeremy Sharp of the Dockers celebrates after scoring a goal.Credit: Getty Images
KEY POINTS
WEBSTER HAD HIS EYES ON THE BALL
The marking contest that left Michael Frederick concussed at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night is going to be a fascinating case study for watchers of the MRO. The Fremantle forward was ironed out by St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster in the opening term. Webster collected the Docker across the head with his hip as he flew in from the side to punch the ball out of Fredrick’s hand. Frederick landed heavily and did not move. Initially, it looked like he had been knocked out, but he was able to regain his feet as the medical cart arrived to take him from the ground. While he was able to run to the interchange bench on his own, he was quickly subbed out of the contest. Make no mistake, this was nothing like the careless head-high bump which resulted in Webster copping seven weeks for knocking out Kangaroos skipper Jy Simpkin in a practice match. Under all the old measures, Webster has no case to answer for his collision with Frederick. His eyes were on the ball, and he flew to spoil.
But there are two key elements at play here: head-high knock and concussion. Then the question is asked: did he take every precaution? Logic and football purists will say it was a football act and, therefore, he has no case to answer. But we have been in this space before, and the outcome has been hard to predict. A clearly frustrated Max King will also face MRO heat. His sling tackle in the last 10 minutes of the game looked clumsy at best, careless at worst. Alex Pearce did not appear to be hurt, but his head hit the turf, and we have been in this space before.
Luke Jackson of the Dockers and Rowan Marshall of the Saints.Credit: Getty Images
MARSHALL GOES BIG AGAIN
Whoever said ruckmen were overrated, were not taking Rowan Marshall or Luke Jackson into account. They were close to the best two players on the ground. Across the past fortnight, Marshall has probably been the best big man in the league. Last week against the Hawks, he set a St Kilda record with 23 uncontested possessions in the one game. On Saturday night, he had 26 possessions in the first three quarters and 31 disposals for the game. That could be six Brownlow votes right there. Jackson was a worthy opponent. The Dockers big man, and one-time Melbourne premiership player, had plenty of the ball as well – 25 disposals, including ground-ball gets. He also had a big impact with his tap work in the centre square and around the ground. Other Dockers to star on the night were Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark. But they are half-backs and St Kilda played the game on their terms.
DEFENCE FIRST, ATTACK AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT
If Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) and Walyalup (Fremantle) weren’t wearing different jumpers at Marvel Stadium, fans would have been excused for thinking they were watching the same team. For most of Saturday night both sides were so intent on protecting their defensive zones, they forgot how to score. Or were too scared to try. St Kilda and Fremantle have capable weapons in front of the ball, but not the dare or game plans to use them. Saints youngster Anthony Caminiti kicked two in the third quarter, Mitch Owens booted three for the game, but Max King was left itching for decent supply. St Kilda needs to utilise their run through Brad Hill, Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera more. For the Dockers, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss both looked dangerous. And, yet, they were also Ultimately, Fremantle won the match by being more damaging on the outside of the contest.
To be fair to Justin Longmuir’s men, they should have won by more, kicking 18 points and at least half of them should have been goals. St Kilda kicked the first two goals of the first three terms, but beyond that could not conjure a winning style of play.