Dockers stave off sluggish Suns to surge up ladder despite skipper's ...

Fremantle has closed out Round 15 with a crucial win over Gold Coast, triumphing 12.13 (85) to 10.5 (65) at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Dockers cemented their eighth victory of the season and will finish the weekend in fifth spot on the ladder — a welcome outcome after last Saturday’s debacle against the Western Bulldogs.

Hard-nosed ball-winner Andy Brayshaw led the way for Justin Longmuir’s brigade, collecting 32 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances and a goal, while Hayden Young was, surprisingly, the side’s leading goalkicker on the day.

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The Dockers’ victory was soured somewhat by captain Alex Pearce’s forearm injury at the end of the third quarter — with the severity unknown at this early stage — as he was subbed out of the game after being assessed.

On the other hand, the Suns slumped to their seventh defeat of 2024 and lost away from home for the sixth time this year, as their search for a maiden finals berth hangs in the balance.

As a result, Gold Coast falls to 12th spot on the ladder and is now 0-6 in away games in 2024 — and has lost 13 consecutive away games — and has still never beaten Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

Sam Flanders and Touk Miller were Damien Hardwick’s major ball-winners with 33 possessions each, while Sam Day (three goals) led all Suns in scoring.

THE 3-2-1 ... (via Cat Healey)

3. SUNS STARS GO MISSING AWAY FROM HOME

Gold Coast’s woes away from home are well-known. The Suns have only managed wins at Carrara and their home games at Marrara Oval in Darwin – losing all six away matches this season (not including their Gather Round loss in Adelaide).

Against Fremantle, the Suns were red-hot in the opening minutes but fell away drastically in worrying signs for coach Damien Hardwick.

The visitors coughed up nine of 11 clearances from midway through the first term as “red flags” started to show, according to Fox Footy’s Will Schofield.

Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell found themselves without a clearance in the 45 minutes before half time.

“That’s their big three – Miller, Anderson and Rowell,” Schofield said.

“They need more than a lift. You can’t have zero clearances between your three best clearances players. He’s started on the bench because of it, Noah Anderson.”

Statistics show away from home Miller is -21% for disposals, -16% in clearances and -30% in score involvements in 2024.

Anderson’s stats are just as alarming as he sits at -23%, -43% and -49% for those same statistics respectively.

Rowell, meantime, sits -24% for disposals, -45% for clearances and -52% for score involvements.

Against Fremantle, Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy said there was “a lot of room for improvement” in the Suns midfield.

“The goals and scores from clearances is just as bad – 3.5 to nothing. A big fat zero to the Gold Coast,” he said at half time.

“They are getting slaughtered at centre clearances since they got the first five or six early.”

Schofield lamented Gold Coast’s inability to transition the football – sitting at just 22% for scores per inside 50 at the main break.

And he said the inability to spark themselves away from home was a worry.

“I haven’t seen enough Suns sprinting there and being excited about a goal,” he said.

“It might sound strange but when your form isn’t there and you haven’t started the way you want to … you need to create your own energy.

“I know players are tired… but those things do matter. And they can change the way things are going. Especially celebrating with your own teammates.

“You see it sometimes with young teams. They don’t know how to get outside themselves. That’s how you do it – celebrate, get around your mates. Start forgetting where you are.”

2. ‘THE BIG COHUNA’ STANDS TALL

Josh Treacy is enjoying a breakout 2024 – and he put the Suns to the sword in a stunning display on Sunday.

The 21-year-old put the competition on notice in his 50th match with two big, contested grabs in the first half.

Fox Footy’s Will Schofield recalled playing in Treacy’s first WAFL match – in a game where the big forward kicked five in the opening quarter.

“He’s blossoming as a star key forward for Freo,” Schofield praised.

“(Jye) Amiss, (Luke) Jackson and Treacy – that’s a dangerous forward line.

“He’s looked outstanding in aerial contests. His body, his bullishness when he gets near it… he’s just taking out bodies and everyone in his way.

“His foot skills – this is a big man lacing out forwards. He’s been terrific.”

Statistics show Treacy is on the rise in 2024, going at an average 2.6 disposals more per game, 2.4 more marks and 1.1 more goals every game.

“When he flies, it’s pretty hard to stop him,” teammate Caleb Serong said of Treacy.

“We love the physicality he brings both in the air and on the ground.”

Gerard Healy praised Fremantle’s ability to find a “cheapie” like Treacy in the rookie draft back in 2021.

“He’s a big unit,” he said.

“He is just getting better and better with every passing game.

“This bloke is a ripper.

“(And) he’s basically still in his apprenticeship which is exciting for the Dockers.”

Schofield said Fremantle’s patience with Treacy’s development was now paying off.

“Key position players, they don’t just jump onto the scene as an 18-year-old,” he said.

“It takes a few years for them to get not only consistency but confidence and being able to do what they do as a junior against men. That’s what Josh Treacy is now doing.

“He’s jumping, running and these marks are sticking.

“He’s got a great kick on him.

“A really dangerous forward for the Freo Dockers.”

Treacy’s development now begs the question — will Fremantle really be shattered to miss out on West Australian talent Logan McDonald?

Perth journalist Ryan Daniels believes McDonald’s new Swans deal is “imminent” — but that might not be such a bad thing for Freo if Treacy can continue to lead the attack.

1. DOUBLE BLOW FOR FREO?

While Fremantle’s win ensured they jumped from 10th to fifth in a massive ladder leap, the win has come at a possible double defensive cost.

Skipper Alex Pearce made his way from the field late in the third term and didn’t take any further part with an arm injury.

And fellow backman Heath Chapman now faces a nervous Match Review wait after coughing up a “dangerous tackle” free kick.

But the big concern remains with Pearce, who has put together an outstanding season after years of injury setbacks.

Against the Suns on Sunday, Pearce was battling Sam Day on the wing when he went to ground and landed awkwardly on his elbow.

“He really cannot move that left arm,” commentator Adam Papalia said.

“Looks a nasty one for the Dockers skipper.”

Boundary commentator Kath Loughnan confirmed Pearce went straight down to the rooms, didn’t join the team huddle at three quarter time and was subbed out.

“You see his elbow hyperextend,” Gerard Healy added.

Chapman meantime is likely to come under scrutiny for his tackle on Thomas Berry – that ended with Berry’s head making contact with the Optus Stadium turf.

Schofield believes Chapman should be in the clear.

“First impression, looked like he’d let him go mid-sling, if you want to call it,” he said.

“Not sure what else Heath Chapman can do there other than not tackle. Other than release a bit earlier.”

Josh Treacy also sent a scare through the camp when he came from the field clutching his shoulder late in the contest after tackling Bodhi Uwland.

But the big man was cleared to return.

FREMANTLE vs. GOLD COAST — AS IT HAPPENED

There was no late change for either side with Karl Worner (Fremantle) and veteran Brandon Ellis (Gold Coast) named as subs for Sunday’s clash.

Suns midfield bull Matt Rowell was in the action early, with a couple of touches and a big chase down on Freo forward Josh Treacy.

When Wil Powell got loose through the middle, he found Sam Day and the Suns were on the board first.

“That’s what he’s in the side for,” Fox Footy’s Will Schofield said of Powell’s brilliant run.

The Suns had a second goal moments later after Rowell burst out of the middle.

“The midfield of the Suns are putting them to the sword,” Gerard Healy said.

“The alarms would be going off right now for (Freo coach) Justin Longmuir,” commentator Adam Papalia added.

But that’s where Gold Coast’s midfield dominance would end in the first half.

Only a diving Alex Pearce saved Freo from coughing up a third goal, with Jye Amiss the beneficiary down the other end.

But the rookie’s accuracy woes rolled on.

Turnovers plagued both sides in a scrappy opening term, but it was Fremantle who turned the tide with nine of the next 11 clearances.

Hayden Young finally broke the drought for Fremantle with his quick snap with just minutes to play.

Josh Treacy pulled in a monster contested grab and goaled to ensure Freo had a 15-12 lead at the first change.

Freo found their composure in the second term, with quick goals to Michael Frederick and Caleb Serong.

Sun Jack Lukosius was arguably “robbed” of a shot on goal when he was deemed not to have held the mark long enough.

The Suns had multiple opportunities to cut Fremantle’s lead - but blew them - and down the other end, Bailey Banfield was able to get out the back.

“That’s just too easy,” Healy lamented.

“The Suns just aren’t adjusting quick enough. No wonder the coach is so frustrated.”

Treacy pulled in another big grab as he flew in front of the pack and pushed the Dockers’ lead out to 23 points.

Day was able to pull a goal back for his side from long range just minutes out from half time, but Ben Ainsworth couldn’t nail his opportunity after some bravery in front of goal.

At the main break, it was Fremantle leading 43-20.

Jordan Clark went for a brilliant run down the wing to set up Andrew Brayshaw and Freo’s first goal of the second half.

The Suns were “flat” when Sean Darcy added his first of the day as the Dockers pulled further ahead.

Only David Swallow and Lukosius kept Gold Coast in it in the third term as both sides were guilty of “pretty average footy”, according to Healy.

Fremantle took a 34-point lead into the final change, but it hasn’t come without an injury concern for the Dockers — skipper Alex Pearce appeared to land awkwardly on his left arm.

Pearce started the fourth quarter on the bench before being substituted out of the game. Karl Worner is into the game.

Sam Day kicked the first goal of the final quarter for the Suns, who still have a sniff. David Swallow soon after saluted to make it a 20-point difference with 10 minutes remaining.

The sides traded goals before a Brandon Ellis snap made it a 15-point difference. Can the Dockers hold on?

The answer is yes, as Jaeger O’Meara seals the deal with a sweet set shot. Freo’s final winning margin is 20 points.

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