03-08-2025
Star Dockers mid injured in comeback win over Carlton
Star midfielder Hayden Young is set for another frustrating stint on the sidelines after injuring his groin in Fremantle's 27-point comeback win over Carlton at Optus Stadium.
Carlton kicked the first four goals of the match and still led by eight points at the final change before Fremantle kicked seven goals to one in a blistering last quarter to seal the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) win in front of 39,358 fans.
Isaiah Dudley and Patrick Voss kicked two goals each in the final-quarter comeback, with the win improving Fremantle's record to 14-6 and keeping them just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Geelong.
Young was injured late in the first quarter and subbed out after being assessed on the bench.
Defender Adam Saad was left groggy and with blood pouring from his nose in the dying minutes after an accidental shin to the face from Andrew Brayshaw.
Fremantle's trio of spearheads Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss kicked three goals apiece in a potent attack, while Luke Jackson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and 18 hitouts in a huge display.
Dockers defender Jordan Clark racked up 30 possessions and 759m gained, and star midfielder Caleb Serong (19 disposals, eight clearances) fought back from a quiet first half under a tight tag from Cooper Lord.
George Hewett starred for Carlton with 36 disposals and seven clearances, while Patrick Cripps (36 disposals, nine clearances) also had a huge impact.
Fremantle kicked with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening quarter but failed to capitalise.
The Dockers' first inside 50m didn't arrive until the 11-minute mark, and it needed a four-bounce effort from Clark to make it happen.
The scoreboard read 24-0 to Carlton before the most unlikely man on the field to kick a goal - Fremantle defender Oscar McDonald - put the Dockers on the board after Tom De Koning coughed up a 50m penalty.
Carlton's early onslaught came courtesy of their clearance dominance and intense tackling pressure.
A late goal to Treacy reduced the margin to 18 points at quarter time, but Carlton's clearance dominance continued in the second term.
Carlton won the centre clearances 11-1 in the first half, helping them to a 24-point lead.
Hewett had 25 disposals and seven clearances to his name by the long break.
In contrast, Serong had just five possessions and two clearances.
Pat Voss got the perfect sit ✈️#AFLFreoBlues AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2025
Fremantle made their move in the third quarter with four goals to one - including two to Amiss - to close the margin to eight points at the final change.
Treacy was huge in the fightback, with his attack on the ball and powerful marking proving crucial.
The bustling spearhead nailed a set shot from 50m to put Fremantle ahead early in the final term, and when Dudley dribbled one through at the 14-minute mark, Fremantle had an 11-point edge.
Controversy erupted when Blues forward Corey Durdin was paid a mark despite the ball not appearing to travel the required 15m, with the subsequent goal reducing the margin to four points with seven minutes remaining.
But when Dudley popped up for his second and Voss nailed a clutch set shot a short time later, Fremantle were home.
