Fremantle’s finals dreams have suffered what could be a fatal blow with their nine-point loss to GWS meaning their destiny is no longer in their hands.
The Dockers lost 15.11 (101) to 14.8 (92) and could drop out of the top eight by the end of the round. They could now enter their final round clash against Port Adelaide with their season already over, depending on other results.
Former Docker Jesse Hogan starred for the Giants with six goals to give himself an unassailable lead in the Coleman Medal and break his ex-teammates’ hearts. His game included two crucial goals in the final term.
The Dockers entered the game under pressure after recent losses, and struggled to get their hands on the footy early.
Hogan and Aaron Cadman made them pay with the first three goals of the match but it was the midfield that was really battling as the Giants kept winning clearances and driving the ball forward.
Sam Sturt gave Fremantle a settling goal entering time-on and it changed the tone of the game. Nat Fyfe and Michael Frederick followed up with two more majors and suddenly they only trailed by one point.
Then Andrew Brayshaw changed the game. He had 16 possessions in the second quarter and willed the Dockers to the front.
Caleb Serong had 10 touches of his own and kicked a goal as Fremantle took control of the game.
They kicked five goals to two for the quarter and led by nine points at half-time.
GWS wasn’t helped by inaccuracy, particularly from Hogan who followed his two early goals with four straight behinds.
But the Giants got back on top during the third term. Tom Green had 13 possessions and Brent Daniels was dynamic. Having already produced 15 possessions and two goals in the first half, he had another seven touches and one goal in the third term.
Hogan was damaging too with two more goals to give him four for the day.
Just as they did in the first quarter, it took Fremantle until late in the quarter to get going. They took the game on from a kick-in and were rewarded with a goal and then Jeremy Sharp kicked another in the dying stages of the term
But they were left to lament missed chances. Jye Amiss kicked 1.2 for the term, with both missed hitting the post, and another shot sailed out of bounds on the full. Amiss also failed to find Luke Jackson alone inside 50 as the Giants applied pressure.
Eight points separated the teams with one quarter to play.
The Dockers needed the first goal. Jackson almost found Frederick on the lead, but the Giants spoiled the ball and took it the length of the field and Toby Greene nailed his chance with a 50m set shot.
Fremantle had to respond and they did with goals to Sam Sturt and Pat Voss as the drama built. Then Hogan stepped up again with his fifth goal for the day as the teams went goal for goal.
But this wasn’t Fremantle’s day and Hogan sealed victory following a 50m penalty against Bailey Banfield.