Match

Fremantle vs Essendon

Commentary / 07 May 2017

Pre Game

59:30

Welcome to Domain Stadium for the Fremantle v Essendon Round 7 clash.

59:33

Outs for Dockers: G.Logue, T.Sheridan

59:34

Ins for Dockers: M.Taberner, C.Sutcliffe

59:35

Outs for Bombers: M.Brown, B.McNiece, A.McGrath, T.Bellchambers, B.Howlett, J.Watson

59:36

Ins for Bombers: D.Myers, J.Kelly, A.Francis, M.Hartley, M.Leuenberger, B.Stanton

59:40

Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection.

00:00

Fremantle has only won 12 of its 30 encounters against Essendon, however it has been victorious in the last three matches by an average of 53 points. Last time they played, Neale, Mundy and Sheridan shared the Brownlow Medal votes for the Dockers.

Quarter 1

00:00

Q1 is now underway.

02:52

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Aaron Francis)

03:32

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Dyson Heppell)

03:41

Essendon has locked the ball inside its forward half to start the match. Following two consecutive forward half intercepts, the Bombers have generated the first three forward 50 entries and scored from the past two.

06:48

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Matt Taberner)

07:36

On its third attempt to transition out of defensive 50, the Dockers have successfully generated a goal through Taberner as a result. This season Fremantle averages a score from 9.1 per cent possession chains from defensive 50 (ranked 14th).

08:13

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Joe Daniher)

08:42

Essendon is showing a desire to control possession in the early play, with 18 uncontested marks compared to nine by Fremantle. This season the Bombers average 23 more uncontested marks per game more than its opposition, ranked first in the league.

11:19

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Orazio Fantasia)

14:23

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Orazio Fantasia)

16:39

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Lachie Neale)

16:52

The ball has spent 73 per cent of the term inside the Bombers' forward half, however the Dockers have been efficient with two goals from three forward 50 entries. The Bombers have managed likewise but have taken the ball inside 50 on ten occasions.

19:19

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

19:37

Essendon's pressure has been a feature in the early stages, already applying 19 effective tackles in comparison to Fremantle with just six. This season the Dockers' opposition lay an average of 11.8 tackles per game more than the Dockers (ranked 18th).

21:11

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Zach Merrett)

21:42

Zach Merrett has had a strong start to the game, now with a team-high seven disposals. He has also kicked a goal from his first clearance sharked from a hitout from Aaron Sandilands.

23:49

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Hayden Crozier)

27:22

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Shane Kersten)

30:15

The siren has sounded to end Q1.

30:25

Essendon has the edge at quarter time after laying double the effective tackles of Fremantle and winning 15 more uncontested possessions. The Bombers managed six scores launched from turnovers compared to just two by the Dockers.

Quarter 2

00:00

Q2 is now underway.

01:19

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

06:15

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Shane Kersten)

06:40

Fremantle has now gone coast-to-coast to goal twice from seven intercepts in its defensive 50 (28 per cent). This season the Dockers average a score from just 8.1 per cent of possession chains launched from defensive 50 (ranked 14th).

08:13

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Joe Daniher)

09:05

Joe Daniher has kicked goals from his first two shots in this match. Prior to this match he had converted just 38.1 per cent of his set shots this season, the third-lowest percentage of the top 50 goal kickers in the league this year.

10:35

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Rushed)

11:53

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

12:03

The Bombers have kicked 4.0 (24) from inside 30 metres but only 1.5 (11) from shots outside this distance, with one behind rushed.

14:52

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

15:10

Cale Hooker has taken a game-high third contested mark (all inside forward 50) and converted for his second major. He is averaging 2.2 contested marks per game this year prior to this match, ranked 12th of all players in the league.

16:30

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Shane Kersten)

17:12

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Martin Gleeson)

18:05

Three in a row now for Essendon has it transitions the kick-in following Kersten's behind directly into a goal to Gleenson. The Bombers have generated a score with 16 per cent of their kick-ins this season, ranked first in the competition.

18:30

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Darcy Tucker)

19:55

Bombers Interchange - Matthew Leuenberger off due to the blood rule.

21:03

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Hayden Crozier)

21:40

A much-needed goal for Fremantle through Hayden Crozier has resulted after David Myers infringed. The Dockers have kicked two of their four goals directly from free kicks, while the Bombers have kicked just one behind directly from frees.

22:15

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Josh Green)

23:58

Brendon Goddard and Nat Fyfe appear to be going head-to-head in the middle, with the Bomber veteran on top with a game-high 19 disposals, two clearances and four inside 50s. Fyfe has been kept to eight disposals with four of them resulting in turnovers.

25:25

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Shane Kersten)

27:41

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Matt Taberner)

28:48

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Matt Taberner)

28:53

Matt Taberner is proving to be Fremantle's spearhead, with three marks inside 50 taken from seven times targetted by his team mates, two of which have been contested. Two such marks late in the quarter have resulted in a minor and major score.

29:57

The siren has sounded to end Q2.

30:07

Essendon retains its quarter time lead of 13 points after both teams kicked 3.4 (22) in the second term. Fremantle pegged the margin back after trailing by 26 points heading into time on, with 11 of the last 12 forward 50 entries of the quarter.

Quarter 3

00:00

Q3 is now underway.

01:11

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Nat Fyfe)

01:31

Since Essendon led by 27 points at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter, Fremantle has won all but one clearance and taken the ball inside forward 50 on 12 occasions for 3.3 (21). The Bombers have kicked one behind from just one entry in this time.

04:32

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Michael Hurley)

05:35

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Joe Daniher)

06:11

Back-to-back goals now to the Bombers as they take Brendon Goddard's second centre clearance inside 50 and Joe Daniher breaks two tackles before kicking his third. This is the first goal launched from the centre bounce from either side across the match.

06:53

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Shane Kersten)

08:48

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Cale Hooker)

09:34

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Bradley Hill)

10:47

Fremantle has kicked three goals from all three forward 50 entries in the second half. This is a marked improvement on five goals from 25 entries (20 per cent) to half time and a season conversion rate of goals from 21.9 per cent of entries (ranked 17th)

11:22

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Travis Colyer)

12:27

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Brent Stanton)

14:11

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Brady Grey)

14:31

Four goals now from four forward 50 entries to the Dockers, helped by two from free kicks and another from a 50-metre penalty. Five of Fremantle's nine goals across the match have come from shots as a result of Essendon indiscretions.

15:41

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)

17:46

Michael Hurley has been a key post for Essendon in defence, winning five intercepts include four intercept marks manning Cam McCarthy. Hurley has amassed 18 disposals and a goal while McCarthy has only recorded seven disposals and no score.

19:43

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti)

20:17

From 23 possession chains launched in defensive 50, Essendon has been able to take the ball inside 50 on five occasions, resulting in 3.1 (19). This season the Bombers have scored from 12.2 per cent of chains launched from this zone (ranked third).

21:18

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (David Mundy)

22:41

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Matt Taberner)

23:07

Fremantle's forward press is creating scoring opportunities this term, with six of its seven score for the quarter launched from midfield intercepts, including four goals.

24:05

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Aaron Francis)

24:55

SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Josh Green)

26:47

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Cam McCarthy)

29:17

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Aaron Francis)

29:56

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (David Mundy)

29:59

That's now Fremantle's sixth goal for the term, with five launched from midfield intercepts. The Dockers have kicked 40 points in the third quarter, their second-highest score in a quarter this year (after the final quarter against Melbourne).

33:21

The siren has sounded to end Q3.

33:31

Nat Fyfe lifted his output that term, amassing as many disposals (nine) as he had in the first half in total. The 2015 Brownlow Medallist won three clearances, two intercepts, amassed nine disposals and kicked a goal in the third quarter.

Quarter 4

00:00

Q4 is now underway.

01:03

Bombers Interchange - Brendon Goddard off due to an injury.

01:47

This season Fremantle has won four and lost two final quarters, outscoring its opposition by a net 17 points (ranked fifth). Essendon has won three and lost three final terms, outscoring its opposition by a net five points (ranked eighth).

02:22

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)

02:39

Bombers Interchange - Michael Hurley off due to the blood rule.

06:16

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Cam McCarthy)

06:19

With Michael Hurley off the ground due to the blood rule, Cam McCarthy is finally off the chain and has kicked his first goal of the game to put Fremantle in front. Essendon has led this game for the past 96 minutes and 57 seconds.

07:59

Bombers Interchange - Darcy Parish off due to the blood rule.

08:23

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Matt Taberner)

08:26

In his first AFL game this season, Matt Taberner has impressed by managing to kick a goal in each quarter. He has taken a career-high five contested marks and his four goals is the second-largest tally he has kicked in his 46-game career.

11:03

SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Josh Green)

12:55

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Bradley Hill)

13:08

Bradley Hill has been the most prolific player on the ground, recording 29 disposals with 24 of these kicks. He has gained a game-high 675 metres for his side and been involved in nine of Fremantle's 25 possession chains resulting in a score.

16:24

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Lachie Neale)

16:29

Lachie Neale has been another key midfielder for the Dockers, winning a game-high nine clearances and four intercepts on his way to clocking up 31 disposals. He has also laid five tackles, taken the ball inside 50 on three occasions and kicked a goal.

19:26

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Cam McCarthy)

23:10

SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)

23:38

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Nat Fyfe)

23:44

Fremantle has run away with this match since half time, with 53 more uncontested possessions and 12 more forward 50 entries than Essendon in the second half. The Dockers have scored from 64 per cent of their 28 inside 50s after half time.

25:48

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Harley Balic)

26:42

In what may be prove to be a breakout game for Matt Taberner, the Fremantle forward has now pulled in seven contested marks, the most by any player in a game this season and the equal-most by any Docker since 1999.

29:19

SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Brady Grey)

29:29

Bradley Hill has had a remarkable game statistically, recording 37 disposals (including 30 kicks), 16 marks and 872 metres gained. He has been involved in 13 of the Dockers' 31 possession chains ending in a score.

31:06

The siren has sounded to end Q4.

31:16

A 64-point turnaround has seen Fremantle eventually cruise to an easy win over a fatiguing Essendon. From time-on into the second quarter, the Dockers won 85 more uncontested possessions than the Bombers and recorded 24 more forward 50 entries.