Walyalup (Fremantle Dockers) dominate against Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) in comprehensive victory

It rained cats, dogs and goals at Optus Stadium on Saturday night as Walyalup (Fremantle) showcased their new found forward line efficiency to defy the weather and kick their third highest score of the season to beat Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) by 49 points

The Dockers extended their season record to 6-5 with the 15.10 (100) to 7.9 (51) victory despite spending a large portion of the game defending.

They took over in the second half as Jackson ran amok. Rucking solo in the absence of Sean Darcy, Jackson had 21 disposals, eight clearances, 38 hit outs, eight score involvements and he kicked one goal in a brilliant display. Murphy Reid kicked four goals in another exciting performance from the first year forward and Caleb Serong had 29 touches after a quiet start.

The Dockers scored from 45 per cent of their inside 50s despite despite Port having more chances for most of the night. Port went forward 56 times but the Dockers’ backline was too good and only allowed them to score from 29 per cent of their chances.

On a wet night, the Dockers lost Cooper Simpson just eight minutes into the game after he courageously put his body on the line to help the team to score its first goal.

Simpson was giving up height and weight to Logan Evans as they charged at a loose ball, but tucked his body up and crashed into his opponent to deny him the ball. It left Simpson with a shoulder injury that required him to be subbed out of the match, but Sam Switkowski kicked a goal just seconds later.

Yartapuulti dominated territory with 20 inside 50s to Walyalup’s eight and a lot of that was due to their 5-1 performance at centre clearances. Yet the Dockers still led by two points at the first change.

The home team had to start winning the ball to give their forwards more chances and ease the pressure on a defence which was under siege.

Andrew Brayshaw and Serong had only eight touches and no clearances in an uncharacteristic start to the game.

But everything changed in the second term.

The Dockers kicked the first two goals of the quarter through Matthew Johnson and Michael Frederick and suddenly they led by 13 points.

Walyalup had scored nine times from only 13 inside 50s and that was becoming the key to the game.

Port hit back when Mitch Georgiades booted his third after a free kick but the Dockers quickly replied through Reid.

Then came a huge moment as Alex Pearce crashed into Darcy Byrne-Jones as the Power forward attempted to mark. Scuffles ensued as tension rose but the Powe missed with the shot for goal.

Byrne-Jones’ night was over and the Power desperately needed a goal to keep them in touch at half-time.

Enter Willie Rioli who seized upon a late opportunity to reduce the deficit to only eight points.

Jackson’s influence on the game was becoming profound though. He had 10 possessions and three clearances for the term and that was one of the key reasons the home team held the lead given Port led the inside 50 count 34-24.

Then came the quarter where the Dockers showed their mettle. They kicked four goals to none and blew the margin out to a match winning 32 points.

It was a quarter defined by 50m penalties. Switkowski took a mark on the wing and received a 50m penalty from an incident ahead of play, then he kicked truly.

Joe Richards then had a chance of his own after a 50m penalty and missed with his shot. Just moments later, Pearce took a mark in the centre of the ground and the umpire advanced the ball again, but the Dockers captain converted his chance.

When another 50m penalty was paid against Pat Voss for soccering the ball after Serong gave away a free kick for deliberately kicking the ball out of bounds, the Power desperately needed a goal. Yet Rory Atkins’ shot fell short and the Dockers scrambled it through for a rushed behind.

In between all of those, Reid kicked another goal and then Jackson topped off his game with a brilliant goal.

Jackson took a strong mark next to the boundary line and looked to have little chance to kick accurately given the tight angle. But he nailed the shot with a drop punt and turned to the crowd to celebrate..

The Power needed the first goal of the last quarter to have any chance but Voss guaranteed that didn’t happen. He kicked a long bomb inside the opening minute and now the Dockers led by 38 points.

The Dockers could have decided to close the game down in the wet but they kept playing normally. Reid snapped his fourth, Michael Frederick ran down Finlayson from behind and the high energy remained.

The Dockers have been criticised for their ball movement and defensive focus but this night showed they can score. It took until the last minute for them to draw level on inside 50s and they celebrated as Shai Bolton booted the goal that took their score to triple figures.

FREMANTLE 3.3 6.6 10.8 15.10 (100)

PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 5.4 5.6 7.9 (51)

Goals – FREMANTLE – M Reid 4 I Dudley 2 S Switkowski 2 J Amiss L Jackson M Johnson M Frederick P Voss A Pearce S Bolton. PORT ADELAIDE – M Georgiades 3 W Rioli 2 J Finlayson M Bergman.

Best: FREMANTLE – L Jackson C Serong M Reid H Chapman L Ryan C Wagner. PORT ADELAIDE – O Wines C Rozee M Bergman M Georgiades Z Butters.

Injuries: FREMANTLE – C Simpson (shoulder). PORT ADELAIDE – D Byrne-Jones (concussion).

Umpires: B Hosking A Whetton T Bryce P Bailes.

Official Crowd: 40,466 at Optus Stadium.