Dockers condemn Cats to fourth straight loss
Getty
Fremantle have condemned Geelong to their worst losing streak since 2006, dishing out a 44-point drubbing to the Cats at Simonds Stadium.
The Dockers broke the contest open in the third quarter on Sunday when they outscored the home team by seven goals to two.
Led by 39 possessions from David Mundy, the Dockers’ midfield reigned supreme throughout the match, with Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow and Stephen Hill also prominent.
• Investigation into racial, homophobic slur at AFL game
• Buddy and his boys turn on a power show
• Crows prove too classy in battle of the birds
Fyfe and Barlow both kicked three goals for Fremantle in the 15.14 (104) to 9.6 (60) triumph.
Docker’s David Mundy breaks from a tackle. Photo: Getty
Only a late goal from Mitch Clark prevented the Dockers from bettering their biggest-ever winning margin over Geelong, which remains at 45 points set back in 2002.
But Fremantle may have paid a high price for the win with tall utility Zac Clarke taken from the ground in the final term clutching his left knee.
Geelong onballer Billie Smedts was reported in the fourth quarter for a high swinging forearm on Docker Lee Spurr.
Having been bounced out of last year’s finals series in straight sets, the Cats have now lost four straight games for the first time in nine years.
Sunday’s 44-point loss also saw them start a season with an 0-2 win-loss record for the first time since 2004.
The withdrawal of defender Jared Rivers on Sunday morning meant the Cats went into the game with three important absentees.
Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel missed the game after being concussed in the round-one loss to Hawthorn, while Steven Motlop was serving a club-imposed ban for drinking three days before their Easter Monday loss to the Hawks.
– AAP