ID :
76627
Mon, 08/24/2009 - 09:37
Auther :

Dockers dent Bombers' finals hopes



Essendon's finals fate hangs in the balance after Fremantle obliterated the Bombers
to the tune of 54 points at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Bombers entered the match knowing a win would be enough to secure eighth spot on
the table and a first finals appearance since 2004.
But the Dockers ruined those plans, racing out to a 27-point lead by half-time
before storming to their 21.15 (141) to 13.9 (87) triumph.
The Bombers now face what is effectively an elimination final against Hawthorn at
the MCG on Saturday, with the winner to sneak into eighth spot and the loser
relegated to an early holiday.
And to compound the Bombers' woes, Alwyn Davey suffered what could be a serious
shoulder injury late in the match, while Jobe Watson aggravated an ankle complaint.
Essendon were simply outgunned at their own game, with Fremantle's relentless run
and hunger around the stoppages proving the difference.
Hayden Ballantyne's chase and successful tackle on speed machine Davey, which led to
a Fremantle goal, summed up the home side's intensity.
It was in stark contract to their effort a week earlier when they meekly succumbed
to Melbourne by 63 points.
Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands played a key role in Fremantle's sixth win of the
season, amassing 42 hit-outs to set up the Fremantle's 43-30 clearance dominance.
Defender Steven Dodd shut down the dangerous Angus Monfries and Chris Tarrant took
care of Jay Neagle, while Paul Hasleby played a superb negating role on Watson,
restricting the star Bomber to just six possessions.
Ballantyne (four goals), Luke McPharlin (three) and Clancee Pearce (three) got the
job done up forward for Fremantle while lively spurts from Matthew Pavlich and
Kepler Bradley helped spark the Dockers during their dominant runs.
And young Dockers defender Nick Suban (25 possessions, two goals) continued his
phenomenal debut seasons, with his penetrating left-foot proving to be a lethal
weapon.
Essendon, brilliant last week against the Saints, had few winners across the park,
although Michael Hurley booted three goals and Nathan Lovett-Murray notched two.
Andrew Lovett and Ricky Dyson also battled valiantly in the losing cause.
Little-known Docker Pearce proved a handful early in the match with two goals in as
many minutes and the Bombers were lucky to be only trailing by six points at quarter
time.
But Essendon's inability to take advantage of first use of a strong breeze came back
to haunt them in the second quarter as the Dockers slammed through five goals to two
to take a handy 27-point lead into the long break.
Sandilands' absolute dominance over Tom Bellchambers and Cale Hooker in the ruck set
up numerous forward thrusts for the home side.
And any chance of Essendon clawing their way back into the contest was snuffed out
straight after half-time, with Fremantle slamming on three quick goals against the
breeze to open a commanding 44-point advantage in front of 32,413 loyal fans.

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