AFL: With the minor premiership already secured, Fremantle will take some fresh faces to face Carlton, who will be looking to test their mettle after a Josh Fraser rejuvenation.
The Dockers have rested Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski and Heath Chapman for their final home and away clash, with Tobyn Murray to make his AFL debut while Bailey Banfield will play his first game of the season.
Judd McVee also returns while Josh Fraser will coach his first game as a full-time coach after his incredible interim stint secured the Blues a wildcard berth.
Relive all the action.
Key Events
That’s all for now
Carlton will take a lot from that result; Fremantle likely won’t worry too much though the injury to Brennan Cox will be a concern.
Still, they will now have a week off until the finals while Carlton have a blockbuster wildcard match against Collingwood unless Western Bulldogs upset a red hot Melbourne.
Until then bye for now!
Analysis
The loss to Carlton is secondary to the permeations of Brennan Cox limping from the field in the first quarter. Depending on the extent of the injury, it is the sort of blow which could sink SS Flagmantle.
Match Report
Carlton had something real to play for on Saturday, while Fremantle rested players and then copped an injury. The difference in hunger and motivation couldn’t have been clearer.
Early Analysis
Morning game Blues! Dockers dismantled by red-hot Carlton, here’s our three words on the Dockers’ loss.
Tobyn Murray has a goal Carlton win by 37 points
In the dying moments, the debutant produces a nice finish on the run as the Dockers force a turnover.
A nice moment, but inconsequential as Carlton romp to a 37-point win at Marvel Stadium to enter the finals in red hot form.
Cue in the rack
Luke Jackson is on the bench, as is Alex Pearce. Carlton have put Jacob Weitering on ice as both teams seem happy to let this play out.
Ben Ainsworth kicks his third goal before former Docker Blake Acres adds his first, making this the highest score Fremantle have conceded this season/
CAR 18.10 (118) fre 10.10 (70)
Evans has 5
Another win in the middle for the Blues as Matthew Johnons just daudles with the ball in the middle of the ground and coughs it up.
Carlton players are out everywhere with Freo in transition as McKay spots Evans in the goal square, who boots a career-high fifth goal!
This is all but over.
CAR 16.10 (106) FRE 9.10 (64)
Kemp responds for Blues
Jordan Clark gives away a free kick at half back.
Carlton chip over the top of Fremantle defenders who have now conceded the most marks inside 50 for the year.
Kemp sneaks it through before Harry McKay follows it up with a great mark and converts to make it 30 points!
CAR 14.10 (94) FRE 9.10 (64)
That’s better from the Dockers
Cox in the ruck, Jackson inside 50 and Freo win the clearance and Brayshaw hits Jackson who takes a good contested mark and drills his first of the night after a couple early misses.
CAR 12.8 (80) FRE 9.10 (64)
End of Q3 CAR 12.8 (80) FRE 8.10 (58)
Hard to see a way Fremantle can come back into this one.
They’ve just been a touch off the pace, and perhaps they just don’t want it enough with not much on the line.
Carlton have been superb with their ball movement and since the loss of Brennan Cox the Dockers defensive structure has come undone.
With ball in hand the Dockers have been too rigid and have been too one-speed, unable to switch the play with much urgency.
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