Fremantle has overcome a uncommon goalless first half and a 25-point deficit to drag off a 38-point win over Sydney in a pulsating top-of-the-table blockbuster at Perth Stadium.
In entrance of a sellout 55,966 crowd on Thursday night time, Fremantle entered the half-time break with 0.11 to their identify, marking simply the third time within the membership’s 32-year historical past they’d been goalless within the first half.
Sydney led 33-11 on the predominant break, after main by as a lot as 25 factors within the second quarter, however the Dockers unleashed a blistering 15-goal second half to safe the 15.21 (111) to 10.13 (73) win.
The end result put Fremantle (15-2) two wins away from Sydney (13-4) on high of the desk, and acquired the Dockers again on the winners’ checklist after their 14-game victory run was ended by GWS final week.
Josh Treacy celebrates considered one of his 4 objectives. (Getty Photos: Daniel Carson)
Shai Bolton kicked a purpose of the 12 months contender within the closing time period, as Josh Treacy kicked 4.4 in an enormous effort in assault, whereas Caleb Serong (28 disposals) and Murphy Reid (28 disposals) had been artistic.
But it surely was Fremantle captain Alex Pearce who evoked the largest cheers from the group after pulling off a collection of clutch goal-saving marks and intercepts.
Sydney spearhead Charlie Curnow kicked 5 objectives to grab the Coleman Medal lead, whereas Errol Gulden starred with 30 disposals.
However the best way Fremantle destroyed their fellow flag fancies within the second half — scoring 100 factors throughout the ultimate two quarters — is about to ship shivers by way of the remainder of the competitors.
Sydney laid 40 tackles to 21 within the first half to place the house aspect underneath immense stress.
Tom Papley kicked the opening purpose of the match and was a menace for the remainder of the primary time period, however Fremantle had been their very own worst enemies at occasions with poor disposal execution.
Their greatest gaffe got here when Chad Warner missed a set-shot snap on purpose.
Dockers defender Luke Ryan, who had given up the preliminary free kick after being caught holding the ball, ran as much as Warner and condescendingly rubbed his opponent’s hair after the missed snap.
The incident led to Curnow being handed a free kick on the high of the purpose sq..
Sydney entered the primary break with a 24-5 edge, and there was only one purpose within the second quarter — to Papley — as Fremantle’s stars flailed in entrance of the massive sticks.
It took a defender to lastly break Fremantle’s purpose drought, with Jordan Clark kicking actually on the run from past 50m to get the Dockers’ first main simply 49 seconds into the third quarter.
In what grew to become a goalfest of 1 / 4, Curnow kicked three objectives — together with two long-range beauties from close to the boundary — to maintain Sydney’s noses in entrance.
However Fremantle’s six-goal quarter meant they entered the ultimate change with only a two-point deficit and all of the momentum.
Dane Rampe gave up a foolish free kick within the third quarter for rubbing the hair of Jye Amiss.
The Fremantle spearhead missed that set shot, however Rampe gave him one other likelihood early within the closing quarter when he held Amiss off the ball.
This time round Amiss nailed the purpose, giving Fremantle the lead for the primary time within the match.
Curnow kicked his fifth to present Sydney again the benefit, however Fremantle slammed by way of the subsequent seven objectives to place the Swans to the sword.
Re-live all of the motion from our reside weblog beneath.
AAP
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 8:15pm
AFL Thursday Scoreboard
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 11:26pm
Dean Cox is talking
The Swans coach merely says that they had been overwhelmed convincingly within the second quarter.
“It is about purely the competition,” he says.
“At occasions we fluctuate too closely in that. We noticed it in opposition to Brisbane and we noticed it once more tonight in opposition to a terrific staff in Fremantle.”
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 11:08pm
Shades of dynasty groups?
Sort of night time the place you begin to fear about supporting the staff that loses to this within the grand closing
– Tosh
It’s totally, very arduous to win a flag however there’s one thing particular about this Freo squad.
A loooooong solution to go although, and a few superb groups nonetheless sniffing round beneath them.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 11:07pm
They simply wanted to kick straight
Kyle, it has been large. Thanks for the commentary… i truthfully thought within the 1st half Freo did not WANT it snuff! I used to be wr🤗
– Anni
Agree that at occasions, Anni, they did not seem like it.
However what a turnaround.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 11:05pm
Singing the tune with the Starlight youngsters
Good scenes within the rooms because the Dockers sing the tune with the Starlight youngsters within the circle, on an evening the place Fremantle was elevating cash for a basis that they’ve had a protracted relationship with.
On the footy aspect of issues, I am nearly misplaced for phrases with what Fremantle did to the Swans within the final time period.
Take into account Fremantle hadn’t kicked a purpose within the first half, had been about 4 objectives down, and at occasions seemed like they had been wilting underneath the Sydney stress.
However they merely exploded within the final half. Josh Treacy out-Charlie Curnowed Charlie Curnow and was simply clunking all the pieces, and will have completed with seven majors for the night time as an alternative of his 4.4.
Jordan Clark was the constant pressure all through off halfback, Shai Bolton confirmed precisely why the Dockers wished him on the membership with bursts of the ridiculous, and Murphy Reid was composed past his years and actually helped elevate his staff off the canvas.
And all this with out Luke Jackson – arguably their biggest weapon – actually making an impression.
We already knew they’d play finals, however this win mathematically locks it in and places a beautiful little hole on the Swans in second.
31 years of harm, Dockers followers have by no means stopped the dreaming.
A scary efficiency.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:49pm
FT: Fremantle Dockers 15.21 (111) defeat Sydney Swans 10.13 (73)
Whoever instructed you that Flagmantle wasn’t actual and could not harm you was mendacity.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:44pm
Shai Bolton with a GOTY contender!
What is occurring on the market!?
Shai Bolton might need simply kicked the purpose of the 12 months!
It begins with beautiful ahead stress from Matthew Johnson, who turns the ball over, will get the handball to Bolton, and Bolton breaks one deal with, breaks two tackles, breaks three tackles, after which hurls the tablet onto the surface of the boot and bananas a contender!
Wowee!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:41pm
What a sport
A sport of two halves, or one half in the event you’re a Freo supporter… Thanks for the weblog Kyle, it has been fairly a experience.
– Mike
Unimaginable Mike.
What a sport. Cherished having you right here.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:40pm
Voss kicks one other one!
And the Prancing Pony is off! He would possibly run all the best way dwelling!
Luke Jackson breaks the pack open and the Sherrin spills to the entrance, the place Patrick Voss roves it like he is Eddie Betts and kicks the purpose!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:37pm
Treacy has one other one!
It is a Dockers Domination! A Docker-nation? I do not know.
What I do know is that Josh Treacy has simply mangled Isaac Heeney in a marking contest and kicked the purpose that I feel has killed the Swans off.
Imagine, Fremantle followers.
This staff is the true deal.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:34pm
The Dockers have one other one!
Judd McVee has his first main for the Dockers and it is one other working shot from simply inside 50!
This one falls quick however the Swans defenders fall over one another attempting to the touch the ball, and in the end miss it utterly!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:32pm
Frederick twists the knife!
It is one other working launch from the Dockers and this time it is Michael Frederick kicking it!
He is open working into 50 and it’s poetry in movement as he kicks the purpose on the run!
Do the Swans have something in them?
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:31pm
Crowd quantity
There’s 55,966 in the home and you may really feel each single considered one of them! A non-Derby report for the Dockers!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:29pm
U-S-A! U-S-A!
The USA chant rattles round a pulsating Perth Stadium as American Mason Cox takes a powerful mark within the goalsquare due to extra cracking work from the Fremantle midfield!
Cox converts and the Dockers lead by 10! There’s 10 minutes left!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm
Fremantle is in entrance!
The Pearce mark units up this attacking play and the Dockers go the size.
It is one other launch into the F50 and Michael Frederick crashes the pack. The Sherrin spills to the again the place Josh Treacy is ready, he collects, he objectives!
Dockers in entrance!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:27pm
Alex Pearce takes a ripper!
The Swans play their champagne working soccer by way of the center of the bottom they usually seem like Harlem Globetotters! James Rowbottom launches it lengthy into the F50 hoping for a Curnow clunk, however as an alternative it is Pearce who takes the saver!
Inspiring from the skipper!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:20pm
Swans again in entrance!
Curnow has his fifth with a juggling mark within the goalsquare!
It is a get away of the centre bounce and a fast pondering Isaac Heeney would not take possession figuring out he is about to be tackled, so faucets to the working Chad Warner.
Warner goes lengthy and Curnow clunks it!
Swans again in entrance!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:17pm
DOWNFIELD FREE KICK!
The Dockers are within the lead!
It is a 100m turnover!
The Swans had simply received a holding the ball choice in the midst of the bottom, however Dane Rampe is completed for holding Jye Amiss within the goalsquare!
The TV pundits say there’s nothing in it, however I do not know that they are seeing what I am seeing – Rampe has his arms totally wrapped round Amiss for no actual purpose.
Weird stuff and the Dockers take the lead!
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:07pm
3QT: Sydney Swans 7.12 (54) lead Fremantle Dockers 6.16 (52)
I’ve watched a variety of footy this 12 months and that may simply have been probably the most entertaining quarter of the lot of it.
It began with the impeccable Jordan Clark launching a protracted main after 45 seconds to finish Freo’s purpose drought, and it simply acquired higher from there.
Charlie Curnow immediately lower unfastened and kicked three objectives within the blink of an eye fixed, together with a cracking launch from simply contained in the boundary exterior 50, however then Shai Bolton, Patrick Voss and Josh Treacy all answered with their very own hoofs to nearly make it benefit Freo on the finish of a pulsating quarter.
After a dominant half, Tom Papley went lacking with out a contact for the Swans, they usually actually felt it throughout half ahead.
Errol Gulden (25) and Murphy Reid (23) lead the disposal rely.
Strap yourselves in, this seems like it is going to be a ripping conclusion.
Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 10:06pm
Dockers inside a kick!
There’s lower than a minute left within the time period and the Dockers are inside a kick!
It is Murphy Reid who units it up down the sector, and it is Jye Amiss who clunks the contested the mark immediately in entrance about 20m out!
He snaps the purpose! What 1 / 4 for the Dockers!
