Geelong humiliate Fremantle, go top of AFL ladder

Fremantle’s return to prime time has ended in disaster after Rory Lobb and Sean Darcy suffered injuries in an embarrassing 69-point loss to Geelong at Optus Stadium.

The Cats kicked eight goals to one in the first half to set up the 14.16 (100) to 3.13 (31) win in front of 35,271 fans on Thursday night, with the result lifting them to the top of the ladder.

Love the AFL? Australian users can personalise their ESPN experience by downloading the App. Get live scores, news and videos ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

• Download ESPN from Google Play Store• Download ESPN from iTunes App Store• Get AFL news and more in your inbox• Head to ESPN’s Home of AFL• Josh Dunkley’s ‘rock bottom’: ‘Was told to jump off a bridge’

DOWNLOAD

The Dockers had clawed their way into the top eight on the back of last week’s 62-point demolition of Hawthorn, and their game against Geelong was the first time they had appeared on a Thursday or Friday night in five years.

But the game was all but over at halftime, with Fremantle’s turnovers and wastefulness in front of goal proving costly.

It was Fremantle’s biggest defeat under coach Justin Longmuir, eclipsing the 59-point loss to West Coast in round seven this year.

Geelong’s dominance was highlighted by the marks inside 50m statistic, which the Cats won 28-2.

Darcy put in a huge effort to finish with 18 disposals, eight clearances, and 37 hitouts.

Luke Dahlhaus of the Cats celebrates a goal against the Dockers. Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But he hobbled off early in the final quarter with an injury to his strapped left knee.

Darcy had clutched at the knee in the opening minutes of the second quarter, and bravely played on for as long as he could.

Lobb was subbed off at halftime with an ankle injury, while forward Josh Treacy was reported for rough conduct.

Treacy drew the ire of Geelong players after bumping Jed Bews in the back as the Cats defender was taking a mark.

Despite Darcy’s dominance in the ruck, Geelong’s midfield got on top at ground level, with Cam Guthrie (35 disposals, seven clearances) and Sam Menegola (30 possessions, seven clearances, one goal) influential.

Tom Hawkins cashed in up forward with four goals and three contested marks despite the slippery conditions.

Patrick Dangerfield booted three goals from 22 disposals playing mainly in attack, with the Cats flourishing despite the absence of forwards Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan to injury.

The result lifted Geelong (13-4) from third to first on the ladder, while Fremantle (8-9) could slip outside of the top eight by the end of the round.

Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe sent a huge scare through the camp when he hurt the right shoulder that he dislocated last month.

Fyfe came to the bench for attention, but was able to return in the second quarter and finished the match with 19 possessions and six clearances.

Geelong broke the game open in the second quarter with five unanswered goals – including two to Hawkins – to open up a 43-point lead.

Fremantle booted the opening two goals of the third quarter to give themselves a sniff.

But any hopes of a fairytale comeback evaporated just as quickly, with two goals to Dangerfield and one to Hawkins snuffing out Fremantle’s victory hopes.