Fremantle Dockers hang tough before getting decimated by injuries in loss to Western Bulldogs

Fremantle showed some fight before running out of soldiers in a gut-wrenching defeat to the Western Bulldogs that will cost them more than the four points.

Inspired by three goals from Josh Treacy in the 18-year-old’s best outing at AFL level, the Dockers had moved to within striking distance at three-quarter time before being cruelled by injury.

With Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy, Griffin Logue and Brennan Cox all unable to finish the game, the Western Bulldogs kicked away to win by 28 points, 13.15 (93) to 9.11 (65), at Optus Stadium.

West Australian Aaron Naughton monstered the contest with 13 marks, including five contested grabs and a last-quarter speccy, but let himself down with 1.5 in a reminder he could become anything if he can fix his finishing.

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It was the Bulldogs’ first win at Optus Stadium and first victory in Perth since stunning elimination final upset win over West Coast in 2016.

The Dockers won the clearance battle 38-32 and were edging the supply battle at three-quarter time.

They were left to rue some haphazard ball use going forward as they trailed by 16 points at half-time.

Rory Lobb showed his frustration towards Cox for his delivery at one point after he was out-marked by Tim English, while a turnover from Treacy prompted a groan from the crowd in the second stanza.

Camera Icon Nat Fyfe in the hands of trainers. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

Fremantle relied on some individual brilliance to help keep them in touch. Andrew Brayshaw’s 40m banana goal from deep in the forward pocket was a beauty and with the youngster not noted for his finishing, it added some shock value to the first-quarter highlight.

With coach Justin Longmuir handing his Indigenous players a licence to use their flair, Liam Henry obliged with a terrific solo effort in the second term.

It began with a spoil to help halve a contest, before, like Brayshaw, Henry toe-poked the ball to himself before picking it up and snapping truly.

The Bulldogs won five of the six centre clearances in the second quarter to put the pressure on the home side’s defence.

There was plenty going on in terms of midfield strategy, with both Fyfe and Tom Liberatore kept quiet in the first half, as Marcus Bontempelli’s telling second-quarter strikes put the Dogs into the ascendancy.

The Dockers lifted in the third as Fyfe grew into the contest but were their own worst enemy as simple chances went begging for Michael Walters, Brayshaw and Lobb.

Treacy showed his more experienced teammates how it was done with two crucial set shot goals, but they were separated by a pair of majors from an unshackled Liberatore as the Bulldogs held onto the lead at the final change.

Held to just three kicks and eight disposals after being kept on a tight leash by Caleb Serong, Liberatore relished some more freedom after the major break and kicked his side’s only two goals of the third term – threading a set shot from an acute angle before snapping accurately from a stoppage.

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Fremantle Dockers star Andrew Brayshaw slots a miracle goal from the boundary against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle Dockers star Andrew Brayshaw slots a miracle goal from the boundary against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium. CARNAGE

The Dockers lost three players in the space of two mad minutes in the last quarter, as Darcy did a hamstring, Fyfe hurt his shoulder and Cox suffered what looked to be a worrying high hamstring tear.

It came with Logue already ruled out of the game with concussion, as Fremantle were left to fend for the rest of the match without any recognised key defenders.

Logue was crunched by Naughton after bravely going back with the flight in the third quarter. Both players were down initially, but it was Logue who came off second best and he was subbed out of the game after failing a concussion test.

With Logue and Cox set to miss Saturday’s home clash with Gold Coast, it opens the door for luckless defender Alex Pearce to play his first senior game since round one.

FYFE AND BONT

Superstars Fyfe and Bontempelli weren’t directly matched up too often, but there would have been plenty of pride on the line as the dual Brownlow medallist took on this year’s Brownlow favourite.

Fyfe spent some time forward, with spearhead Matt Taberner a late out after not recovering from his ankle problem, but it was Bontempelli who made the scoreboard impact with two trademark raking left foot bombs from outside the arc in the second term.

Bontempelli was slowed by some attention from Caleb Serong in the second half but finished with 27 disposals, seven clearances and 2.2, while Fyfe had gathered 18 disposals and seven clearances when his night was cut short.