Fremantle shocked the competition last Thursday night, turning around a goalless first half to take down Sydney in a highly anticipated top of the ladder clash at Optus Stadium.
The 55,966 strong crowd gave the Dockers all the momentum they needed to pile on 15 goals in the second half, setting the record for the highest score by V/AFL sides that were goalless at half time.
They also become the first team to win after a goalless first half since West Coast in 2012 when they went 0.12 come halftime playing Hawthorn.
A 38-point margin at the final siren sent a message to the AFL, with only a half of footy needed for Fremantle to boot a winning score.
It was their annual Starlight Purple Haze Game, and the win certainly gave everyone in purple something to smile about.
After a loss to GWS which snapped their 14-game win streak in round 17, they’re back to sitting on top of the ladder two games clear from second – it begs the question, was the loss exactly what they needed to release the pressure valve?
Dockers utility Corey Wagner joined Sports Breakfast this morning.
“We knew exactly what went wrong and why it happened against GWS, the vision was so clear of what we were doing wrong and JL showed it,” he said.
“It’s just the belief and confidence in the team probably going in at half time [against Sydney]. I think we knew we could get it done and there was no scare, there was no panic which you probably saw in Sydney in the third quarter which is what you want – to believe you can come back from anywhere.
“That belief, it grows and it’s contagious. And I think once you have that, you’re a really hard team to beat and you know you can come back from anywhere.”
It was Jordan Clark who kicked off the scoring in the second half, slotting a goal from beyond 50m within less than a minute of the third quarter starting.
The changing of the tide was palpable – Sydney’s camaraderie in the first half was a hard watch for Dockers fans until the tables turned and it was Freo’s time to get around each other.
Alex Pearce wore his heart on his sleeve as he does every game, keeping the match together and taking a memorable mark heading back with the flight with only eyes for the ball to prevent another first half Sydney goal.
Despite that being one of only two marks he took for the match, the skipper finished up with nine intercept possessions and had four score involvements as a defender.
“I think every player voted for him for our trademark player and it was just so clear that he is such a good skipper.”
“His sort of way of leading is showing those actions and if your skipper is doing that you get in behind him and you’re doing those things too.”
It was a night for defenders with Judd McVee slotting his first major in purple among seven unanswered goals in the final term.
Mason Cox made a strong bid to see out the rest of the season in the best 23 – he took six marks and had 10 hit outs, also slotting a crucial goal and letting Sydney know about it.
“It’s a tough one because they’re [Cox and Sean Darcy] both very good players and they both dominate WAFL.”
“It’s what you want going into finals, competition for spots and no one playing safe.
Josh Treacy proved once again he is a big game player, finishing up with four goals, five marks and nine score involvements – his physicality domineering over Sydney’s defence.
Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss played their roles in the three pronged attack, both scoring two goals each – the three working in tandem all night long.
Shai Bolton adds to his list of ‘____ of the year contenders’ with a silky goal brushing off three defenders to break Sydney hearts in the final quarter – the Swans dejected in the final 10 minutes of play.
It was Murphy Reid who got the 10 coaches votes amongst a list of performances worth writing home about – his composure as a second year player truly remarkable as he now averages 24.2 disposals a game with 72% efficiency.
He looks to be as pure as footballers come, finishing up on Thursday with 28 disposals at 85.7% efficiency, 12 score involvements and a goal for himself.
“He’s a star the kid, he’s got a bit of swagger and he’s got the confidence to match it too.”
“It’s a bit like Pendlebury, he can just find space and he feels like he’s just got that bit more time than everyone and I think that comes with composure.
“What you’re seeing on game day is what we see plus more at training so it’s a good sight to watch and I can see many big things coming from him.”
The ladder leaders now set their sights on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
IMAGE: AFL Photos