UPDATE
Fremantle has caused the second boilover of Saturday afternoon in holding off a determined Melbourne outfit to the tune of seven points at the MCG.
It’s safe to say the Dockers are back to where they were expected to be at the start of 2023 after knocking off two top four contenders in consecutive weeks.
For the first time this year, Fremantle is in the top eight and could well be there come the close of Round 11. It’s a credit to Justin Longmuir at the his team, who have made subtle tweaks to put more speed on the ball while continuing to hold up down back.
Schultz pops UP.#AFLDeesFreo | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/uA3mjI2RwX
— AFL (@AFL) May 27, 2023
But there’s little doubt Longmuir has been benefitted by the return to form of his star midfielder, Andrew Brayshaw, who continued his hot streak by tearing Melbourne apart with 29 touches (13 contested) and seven clearances.
Caleb Serong (26 disposals) was his usual prolific self as Melbourne’s dominant midfield lost the clearances for the second straight week.
Saturday’s clash also saw Luke Jackson return to Melbourne and take on his former side for the first time.
The 21-year-old was subject to a few boos at the ‘G but ultimately won back the crowd with another strong performance. He finished with 19 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, all in the absence of Sean Darcy.
Confirming it's a hamstring for Sean Darcy.
— Walyalup Football Club (@freodockers) May 27, 2023
PS: Hi Concs 👋#KalyakoorlWalyalup pic.twitter.com/Lw6SmmmEKt
Darcy’s hamstring injury may be the Dockers’ only worry heading into the bye, with the ruckman coming from the field in the second term and reappearing after half-time with ice on his hamstring.
Nevertheless, Jackson’s form continues Fremantle recruiter’s faith in the former Demon, with the high price paid looking more like a bargain every week.
The Dockers have now won their last four and are the bye comes at a good time to regroup and go again in the back half of the season. With games against Richmond (Optus Stadium), GWS (away) and Essendon (Optus Stadium) in the next three, Longmuir will have genuine hopes of embedding his side into the top eight across the next month.
While the Dockers are on cloud nine, the situation is a vastly different one for Melbourne. Simon Goodwin’s side have lost two on the trot and looked vulnerable in defence once again as Fremantle recorded their second straight win against the Demons.
Melbourne could be out of the top four come the close of Round 11, but will be aided by St Kilda also faltering at Marvel Stadium earlier on Saturday.
EARLIER
Hawthorn has claimed its biggest scalp of the year by booting the final five goals of the game to down St Kilda and spark emphatic scenes at Marvel Stadium.
The Hawks led during the first half but looked down and out at the final break and fell more than three goals down early in the fourth term.
But Sam Mitchell’s troops, not content with an honourable loss, fired back to claim all the momentum in the dying stages and the club’s third game of the year.
The Hawks have claimed victory in RIDICULOUS fashion over the Saints by booting the final 5️⃣ goals of the game! 🔥
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) May 27, 2023
Here's how @GerardWhateley and @AndyMaherDFA called the final plays on @AFLNation. #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/LfFYP0EmWy
But none of it would have been possible without the captain James Sicily, who played one of the games of his career and certainly the games of the season.
A whopping 43 disposals, 16 marks and 658 metres gained were all game highs, as was a whopping 22 intercept possessions.
No other player on the ground had more than nine intercepts.
Singing praise for the performance after the game, Carlton great Mark Maclure suggested it was a performance worthy of one of the greats.
“Sicily, I’ve never seen anyone play a better game than James Sicily,” Maclure remarked.
“He was just freakish in every way you can think of. He’s an absolute star to me and I love the way he plays.
“He’s a general down there in the back half, he could be the general anywhere you want to go.
“Their defence was so solid.”
Dylan Moore too was dominant with 31 disposals, nine marks and a goal, while Brad Crouch was the Saints’ best in gathering 26 disposals.
But while the Hawks are still tied to the bottom four, the questions grow on St Kilda’s credentials.
With Sydney and Richmond to come in the next two weeks, Ross Lyon’s team could have locked themselves into the top four before their bye.
But the Saints will only be one game inside the top eight at the conclusion of Round 11 after missing a golden chance to take the next step towards September.