AFL 2022: Fremantle Dockers keep top four flame burning as West Coast Eagles’ season ends in thumping
Fremantle got the job done to keep their top-four dreams alive with a gutsy come-from-behind win against Greater Western Sydney.
It took a quarter and a half for the Dockers to get going, but Michael Walters (three goals), Caleb Serong (32 disposals and a goal), and Andrew Brayshaw (two goals and 25 touches) found their feet and led the way.
The ball is now squarely in Collingwood and Sydney’s corner, with Fremantle to spend Saturday night inside the top four.
The Eagles will avoid the spoon after North Melbourne went down by 67 to the Gold Coast but had their hands full with a feisty Cats unit determined to get Patrick Dangerfield a win in his 300th.
They stuck with them for a half but were outmatched by the minor premiers to the tune of 85 points.
Follow our updates as they happen below.
Key Events
Dockers face nervous wait, Eagles' season done
Fremantle will be watching Collingwood and Sydney closely tomorrow, with a slip up for either side letting them into the top four.
Regardless, they will play finals in 2022 for the first time since 2015 and at least one of those games will be at home in Optus Stadium. They’ve held up their side of the bargain and now need a result to go their way.
For the Eagles, it’s make to the drawing board - and the draft.
Thanks for following along with our live blog today and good night!
Done and dusted
West Coast’s horror season is over, ending with a thumping loss to the Cats in Geelong.
Fremantle’s hopes alive, Eagles’ season done
Super Saturday comes to an end for the West Australian teams with two very different results. The Dockers threatened to blow another final-round road game, but their stars held firm and pulled them back into top four contention with a 20-point win. West Coast took on the hardest road trip in footy against the Cats to end their historically bad season. They fought hard in the first half but were no match for the minor premiers, who powered away to an 85-point victory.
Dockers weighing up WAFL move
Remember the scenes the last time Nat Fyfe played WAFL? It might happen again.
The Dockers have two weeks before their first final and Peel Thunder play next week. After a sluggish return to the senior side today, Justin Longmuir will weigh up playing Fyfe in the twos next weekend, as well as injured key forward Matt Taberner.
But he’s confident their forward stocks will return.
READ MORE:
FT Eagles crushed at Cattery Geelong 131 West Coast 46
The Eagles’ season has come to a weary end, crushed by the Cats in Geelong. Shannon Hurn was dependable as ever and was the best on field with 32 touches, 10 marks and even two clearances. Jamaine Jones also had plenty of ball.
Four for Stengle
Tyson Stengle runs into an open goal square for goal number FOUR! What a season he’s had at the Cattery.
Lead sits at 78 points
Rioli off
A difficult season on all fronts has ended for Junior Rioli.
After returning to the side after a trip to Darwin for his father’s funeral, Rioli has been subbed off in the final term.
He has been replaced by Greg Clark for one last Eagles appearance in his debut season, with 15 minutes to go.
3QT Geelong 102 West Coast 40
A wasteful Geelong kicked 3.5 in that quarter, but it’s more than enough to put the Eagles to bed. 62 points the margin.
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