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Fremantle’s makeshift forward line fails to fire as injuries to Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling hurt Dockers charge

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Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
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VideoDockers defender Alex Pearce has been left in tears by his latest injury setback.

Fremantle’s makeshift forward line failed to fire on first instance as the Dockers suffered a bruising 22-point defeat at the hands of Melbourne at the MCG today.

The 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) loss was compounded by injuries to luckless duo Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling, who both made their senior returns after missing the entire 2020 season.

Just two weeks after losing five of their seven starting forwards to injury against West Coast in the pre-season, Pearce limped from the ground with a knee injury in the second quarter, followed by Hamling with a suspected lower leg injury in the last.

Pearce, who last played in round 11, 2019, was sent forward early to try and cover the loss of Rory Lobb (knee) and Josh Tracey (suspension).

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But when he hobbled from the ground and was subbed out of the match before half time, the Dockers were forced to get creative.

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A devastated Alex Pearce (right) sits on the bench.
Camera IconA devastated Alex Pearce (right) sits on the bench. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

At one centre bounce in the third quarter, midfielders Andrew Brayshaw, Nat Fyfe and Blake Acres all started within the forward 50.

Even with Pearce on the field, Fremantle struggled to move the ball inside 50 and could only manage seven scoring shots for the half.

Every time Fremantle looked to drive forward and create overlap run, they were met with a sea of blue and red as the Dockers’ poor foot skills halted momentum time and time again.

It took Fremantle until six minutes into the second quarter to finally hit the scoreboard courtesy of a clever snap from Sam Switkowski.

Liam Henry had the composure to steer home the next from a set shot as Lachie Schultz added Fremantle’s third for the quarter.

But the Dockers never seriously threatened the lead.

Fremantle were well serviced by Andrew Brayshaw (29 touches and a goal), Nat Fyfe (27 touches and nine clearances), Adam Cerra (24 disposals and eight inside 50s) and Matt Taberner (three goals) up forward who worked into the game after a scratchy start.

VideoWA's Kysaiah Pickett kicked the first goal of the match against Freo and paid tribute to his late mother.

But the class of Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Steven May and Ed Langdon proved the difference.

Much has also been made of Fremantle’s stingy defence but under the weight of 61 inside 50s, the Dockers conceded what would have been the third highest total of the 2020 season in which they were ranked one of the league’s best backlines.

Scoreboard

Melbourne: 4.4, 7.6, 9.8, 11.14 (80)

Fremantle: 0.4, 3.8, 9.9, 8.10 (58)

Goals – Melbourne: B. Fritsch 2, T. McDonald 2, K. Pickett, , J. Jordan, E. Langdon, C. Petracca, J. Harmes, C. Spargo, A. Brayshaw,

Fremantle: M. Taberner 3, S. Switkowski, L. Henry, L. Schultz, C. Blakely

Best – Melbourne: C. Oliver, C. Petracca, S. May, E. Langdon, J. Lever, T. McDonald

Fremantle: A. Brayshaw, N. Fyfe, A. Cerra, M. Taberner, C. Serong, Sam Switkowski

Injuries – Melbourne:

Fremantle: A. Pearce (knee), J. Hamling (leg)

Crowd: 21,365 at MCG

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