AFL 2026 live scores: Fremantle Dockers take on Melbourne Demons in first home clash
AFL: It’s taken until late March, but Fremantle are finally back at Optus as they look to kickstart against Melbourne.
There will be a new Docker unveiled as Chris Scherri makes his debut just a few weeks after joining the Dockers list while it will be the first chance for home fans to see Judd McVee in purple.
Fremantle are the favourites and Melbourne’s fortunes will likely rely on Kozzy Pickett who tore Fremantle part the last time these sides met.
Follow all the action live!
Key Events
Mason Cox stars for Peel
The premiership Pie made his Thunder debut and was impressive in their loss to Claremont.
After Darcy’s poor showing against Geelong, there was pressure to keep his spot and has had just the four touches and five hit-outs but has looked to get physical with Max Gawn who has looked sore.
Half-Time FRE 9.11 (65) MEL 5.4 (34)
Melbourne controlled the first 15 minutes of that quarter as they were able to even up around the contest and actually get their hands on the footy.
Culley and Langdon have looked their best but the Dees wasted some chances and Fremantle lifted to get a couple back at the end of the quarter.
Treacy has three goals, Botlon is up to 19 touches while Jordan Clark has been great off half-back, as has Pearce in defence on Mihocek.
Serong has just six touches and has been well held by Tholstrup but there’s too much quality across the ground for Freo at the moment.
Treacy with his third
Luke Jackson just tears up the wing to help get a handball chain going.
He weighs the kick to Treacy who cops some treatment to win the free and get the lead back above 30 points.
Switta responds for the Dockers
The debutant Scerri with a mark outisde 50 the Demons look like they win the kick but Harrison Petty lays off a huge, dangerous handball and Switkowski gets through a settler for the home side.
FRE 8.11 (59) MEL 5.3 (33)
Kozzy fires up the Dees!
Melbourne have largely controlled this quarter.
Jai Culley involved again to win a ball on the wing goes to Langdon who launches inside 50.
Comes off a contest and Pickett steps around Jordan Clark dances around the defence and kicks a lovely goal.
Four goals to 0 for the Dees this quarter.
Fritsch gives the Dees another
Demons go end to end as former Eagle Jai Culley wins the loose ball on the wing to get behind Fremantle’s defence.
He lowers his eyes and laces the pass to Fritsch who converts as the Demons get another back.
FRE 7.9 (51) MEL 4.2 (26)
Jackson with a couple looks
Pat Voss cost him a shot at goal after getting in his back making him drop the mark.
But no one gets in his way this time as he marks in the pocket.
Tight angle and nearly steers it through but if fades late for a behind.
Demons finally convert
Jacob Van Rooyen drops a simple uncontested mark inside 50 and then Jack Steele misses a set shot left.
Chaotic football as Voss is caught cold in the middle and the Dockers caught in transition give up an uncontested mark to Mihocek, who converts.
Melbourne have started much better this quarter giving up just one inside 50.
FRE 7.7 (49) MEL 3.2 (20)
Demons get one back
Their first one since the eight-minute mark of the first quarter.
Harry Sharp with some nice work to find space from the stoppage and snap through a much-needed goal.
FRE 7.7 (49) MEL 2.1 (13)
We're back underway
A 50m penalty gets Melbourne out of defence for once, and Tholstrup marks outside 50.
He tees it up but there’s a mass of bodies and it’s a stoppage inside 50.
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