Fremantle Dockers survive almighty scare to defeat Adelaide by two points after late comeback

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce’s inspirational diving smother in the dying seconds led his side to another famous Adelaide Oval victory.

The Dockers survived an almighty scare from Adelaide to win by two points, with Pearce’s lunging effort to stop a likely James Peatling goal securing their third consecutive win, 11.12 (78) to 11.10 (76), on Friday night.

When Jye Amiss kicked his fourth goal 10 minutes into the third term, the Dockers led by 34 points and seemed well and truly on their way to a comfortable win.

The injury-hit Crows found another gear to the delight of a packed crowd, kicking five goals in an 18-minute onslaught to turn the tide.

For two-and-a-half quarters the Dockers looked like world-beaters, with their star-studded midfield beating up on Adelaide.

Caleb Serong (32 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances) is almost certain to poll three Brownlow votes as he punished the Crows for their disrespect and lack of attention.

Serong wasn’t alone though as the Dockers did it by committee in a performance that for the first half would have had the entire AFL world nervous.

Andrew Brayshaw was just as damaging with 25 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances and a goal, while Shai Bolton (21 disposals and a goal) continues to thrive in his new role in the engine room.

Luke Jackson’s ability to go from damaging ruckman to dynamic midfielder is improving, while Murphy Reid’s stints on the ball were effective.

The Dockers didn’t make it count on the scoreboard though, missing numerous regulation shots to leave the door ajar for the Crows, who nearly smashed it down in front of their home fans.

Ever-improving defender Josh Worrell was immense all night with 23 disposals and seven marks, while James Borlase punched above his weight to get the better of an in-form Josh Treacy.

Wayne Milera provided plenty of drive at half-back with 27 touches in what looks to be a breakout season for the defender.

Peatling was the main driver after half-time, finishing with 25 disposals and nine clearances, while captain Jordan Dawson (23 disposals and two goals) did a lot of the grunt work.

Amiss rediscovered the form he’s so desperately needed, booting an equal career-high four goals to silence the doubters.

The under-pressure forward played the lead role with Pat Voss (2.3) wayward and Treacy (2.2) well held

Pearce blanketed Riley Thilthorpe up forward and it forced the monstrous Crow to have to go into the midfield to have any real influence.

Adelaide’s issues started before they even ran out when they lost out-of-form forward Darcy Fogarty (back) and Isaac Cumming (illness), with Finnbar Maley and Chayce Jones coming into the team.

Maley gave the Crows a great start with an early goal as both teams traded blows in a tight first term.

Fremantle looked the better of the two teams from the start though, with Adelaide’s depleted defence seemingly conceding a score every time the ball came into their back 50.

It was on the back of an immense term by the Dockers’ midfield, who won the clearances 12-4.

Fremantle were working harder at ground level and in the contest, with the reward coming once the ball came out as they ran in numbers.

Their only issue was finishing in front of goals, with several of their classy forwards missing what would normally be regulation shots.

By half-time the margin was 25 points but there was a feeling the Dockers should have been further in front.

Fremantle could have shut the door on Adelaide’s hopes but all three of their key forwards in Voss, Treacy and Amiss missed set shots.

Amiss finally straightened them up with his fourth goal after nearly 10 minutes in the third term and the alarm bells were going off all over the ground for the Crows.

Adelaide’s intensity lifted and they mounted a charge as a result.

It wasn’t convincing but it was effective as the Crows willed the ball forward to kick five unanswered goals to be within four points at the final break.

Veteran Jaeger O’Meara had an important shot from only 15m out to settle the nerves, but he continued the streak of horror misses.

Not long after Taylor Walker made no mistake for the Crows, slotting a monster goal to give them the lead for the first time since the first term.

When Dawson booted his second it was party time at Adelaide Oval as the home side had piled on seven unanswered goals and looked on their way to over-running Fremantle.

Bolton broke the run with a vital goal to keep the Dockers within touching distance, before Treacy then restored the lead when he dribbled one through from the right forward pocket.

It would be enough with Ben Keays and Borlase missing late chances to steal the most unlikely of wins in front of close to 50,000 fans.

SCOREBOARD

FREMANTLE 4.3, 8.6, 9.9, 11.12 (78)

ADELAIDE 3.3, 4.5, 9.5, 11.10 (76)

Goals – FREMANTLE: J Amiss 4 J Treacy 2 P Voss 2 A Brayshaw S Bolton I Dudley. ADELAIDE: J Dawson 2 S Berry B Cook F Maley A Neal-Bullen J Peatling J Rachele R Thilthorpe T Walker Z Taylor.

Best – FREMANTLE: C Serong A Brayshaw J Amiss M Reid S Bolton A Pearce. ADELAIDE: J Worrell J Borlase J Peatling W Milera J Dawson J Rachele.

Injuries – ADELAIDE: L Pedlar (concussion) I Cumming (illness) and D Fogarty (back) replaced in the selected side for F Maley and C Jones.

Umpires: N Brown J Broadbent S Meredith M Rodger. Crowd: 48,627 at Adelaide Oval.