Fremantle Dockers stars Josh Treacy, Shai Bolton and Andrew Brayshaw destroy Melbourne Demons in big win

Fremantle spent all week telling their fans it was important to get to Optus stadium early.

Then they gave those fans a reason to ensure they never, ever get to a game late again with a stunning first quarter to set up a thumping victory over Melbourne.

It was Fremantle’s second successive brilliant first quarter after they tore Geelong apart at GMHBA Stadium last week. They kicked eight goals to three against Geelong but couldn’t hold, being overrun and losing the match. This time, they had no such issues as they won 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70)

Josh Treacy was imposing with four goals, Shai Bolton was huge with 32 disposals, nine clearances and two goals and Andrew Brayshaw had 39 disposals in a massive game.

Fans would have been thrilled that Luke Ryan had 24 disposals after coming into the team as a late replacement for a sore Brandon Walker. Debutant Chris Scerri was exciting and looks like a real find with 20 touches.

The first quarter was stunning. The Dockers had 127 disposals to Melbourne’s 71. They had 25 inside 50s to seven. Nine of the top 10 disposal winners were from Fremantle and they kicked seven goals to one to lead by 42 points at the first change

Melbourne were powerless to stop the Dockers. Brayshaw was running amok. He had 14 possessions for the quarter.

That was the same figure he managed for the entire game last week. He also had seven score involvements.

When you have Brayshaw, Jordan, Clark, Bolton and Murphy Reid all having plenty of the footy, you are going to trouble most teams. That quartet combined for 45 disposals.

The forwards were licking their lips. Treacy kicked two goals and Pat Voss was intimidating the Dees with his sheer presence and ability to get inside their head.

Voss also kicked a goal, Jye Amiss missed one he should have nailed and players were lining up for opportunities.

Melbourne looked nervous. They fumbled, made basic errors and were powerless to provide a response

It was the most destructive half hour seen at Optus Stadium since Travis Head tore England apart in the second innings of the first Test.

Bazball fell apart under the pressure of an Australian summer, and the big question for Fremantle was whether they could play four quarters of footy and not be inconsistent like England were throughout the Ashes.

With that in mind, it was concerning that just like they did against Geelong, Fremantle conceded the first three goals of the second quarter.

It was nine inside 50s to one to start the second term in favour to Melbourne and Fremantle were making basic errors.

Voss took on everyone in the middle of the ground and got caught. Matt Johnson bounced footy running through the middle and got caught, and then Luke Jackson and Voss collided inside 50, denying them a shot for goal.

Suddenly, the momentum had swung, and the question was, could Fremantle get it back on their own terms?

The answer was no. Justin Longmuir was on his feet and on the phone in the coach’s box, demanding answers.

When Kozzy Pickett slammed home Melbourne’s fourth goal of the quarter, the deficit was back to 20 points and fans had every reason to be worried.

But Sam Switkowski settled the nerves with a goal just 1:39 remaining in the half to steady the home team.

Then they remembered what got them so far in front during the first term. They ran in numbers, they put their bodies on the line and shared the footy.

Treacy kicked his third goal in the shadows of half-time and now Fremantle led by 31 points again.

Challenges were still clear. WA’s Koltyn Tholstrup followed up his superb tagging job on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera by locking down on Caleb Serong. He held the three-time Doig medallst to six disposals for the first half.

The difference between the two teams was clear at the start of the third term though. Trent Rivers fumbled and Reid kicked a goal.

Changkuoth Jiath made two horror turnovers and didn’t get punished, but the signs were ominous. And then Treacy produced a stunning gather of a ground ball when he was under extreme pressure, and that set up a goal for Isaiah Dudley.

The Dockers were a class above as they booted six unanswered goals. Treacy kicked his fourth midway through the quarter and the home team now led by 55 points.

Fremantle brought up their ton shortly before three quarter time when Dudley kicked his second goal. They didn’t have time ti hold their bat up to the crowd because Dudley booted a third moments later and his teammates got around him. It was party time.

Fremantle hadn’t kicked 100 points to three quarter time since 2024. This was a statement. It was game over. with one quarter to play.