Dominant Dockers stun Giants in superb away victory
Walyalup (Fremantle) have produced a stunning second half to create their own piece of history, beating Greater Western Sydney for the first time at ENGIE Stadium and claiming a crucial away victory by 34 points.
The Dockers have been under the pump after failing to play their best footy this season and went through a week of frustration after being unable to capitalise on a mountain of inside 50s during a home loss to Collingwood last week.
But this time they kept scoring after dominating the forward entries and only inaccuracy stopped them from winning by more in their 13.17 (95) to 8.13 (61) victory.
The Dockers had lost all four of their previous matches at the ground, including last year when they were chasing a finals berth.
They also hadn't won a genuine away game since June last year.
Their only interstate victory since then was the neutral game against Richmond in Gather Round. Shai Bolton. Credit: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos / Getty Images
But this was a stunning display. They conceded the first goal of the game after only 45 seconds but held the Giants to only three more goals until midway through the final term and just eight goals for the night.
They won the inside 50s 56-45 on the back of a 15-8 centre clearance tally.
Luke Jackson controlled the ruck with 32 hit outs and seven clearances from his 21 disposals.
Caleb Serong was also superb in the midfield with 36 disposals and eight clearances. Luke Jackson. Credit: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images
Shai Bolton relished playing for Walyalup in Sir Doug Nicholls Round with 24 possessions and three goals.
The Dockers kicked six unanswered goals after leading by 11 points at half-time to guarantee victory.
Walyalup could have won by more because they had a stack of opportunities. But they fought so hard in defence that those misses didn't matter.
Jesse Hogan managed only one goal from 11 disposals.
This was a night where Walyalup showed a combination flair, speed, grit and strength. They won the contested possessions by 25 in the second half.
They overcame the disappointment of missing a series of key shots to keep the game on their own terms.
They led by six points at quarter time and then seized control around the ground in the second term.
Walyalup kicked four behind in six minutes and deserved to have a stranglehold on the contest. Murphy Reid in action. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images
It wasn't until Jye Amiss nailed his set shot nearly nine minutes into the term that the Dockers got some reward.
At that point they'd kicked 1.4 from six inside 50s for the quarter and were still vulnerable.
Then, as is the way when one team misses, the Giants went straight down the other end and kicked a goal of their own.
Walyalup kept missing until Bolton won a free kick for holding the ball and then kicked a goal from the most difficult shot the team. Now Walyalup led by 17 points.
Could they break the game open? They tried to. They refused to be conservative. Andrew Brayshaw saw an opportunity and attempted a tough kick to centre half-forward which he instantly regretted.
Finn Callaghan intercepted, the Giants surged forward and Aaron Cadman kicked the goal. Footy can be cruel. Pat Voss charges forward. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images
But it didn't change their attitude and Walyalup still led by 11 points at half-time after having 10 more inside 50s than the Giants.
The problem with not slamming the door shut is the opposition don't need a lot of encouragement to get back into the game, especially at home.
The Dockers refused to let the Giants back into the game though. Frederick booted his third after a free kick from a tackle on Callan Ward. now they led by 16 points. Michael Frederick marks the ball. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images
The game was there for the taking. Nothing summed up Walyalups attitude more than the way they approached that challenge.
Karl Worner took an intercept mark in defence and refused to slow the game down. He targeted Serong in the centre corridor, the star midfielder took a difficult mark and played on with a handball to space.
Frederick ran onto the ball, handballed to Corey Wagner and he found Amiss who kicked his second goal. It was lightning. It was aggressive. It was daring. It was bold.
Now they had to finish the Giants off. Murphy Reid kicked a goal to extend the lead to 27 points midway through the term and the Dockers just kept playing desperate footy. The backline defended superbly, holding the Giants goalless for the quarter. Dockers coach Justin Longmuir. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images
Both teams were missing chances they'd normally kick but Josh Treacy didn't miss to start the final term.
He nailed the knock out blow and the only question now was the big the margin would become.
They kicked five goals for the final term and it became a huge celebration. Players ran from everywhere when Cooper Simpson kicked his first career goal.
The Giants kicked late goals to make the scoreboard more respectable. But this was a dominant effort from the Dockers.
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