BACK TO EARTH by The Oracle

In the end it was a rout. The Dockers kicked more goals in the final quarter than the Demons kicked for the whole match and indeed in any of their four previous encounters.

Fremantle won 18.10.118 to 6.14.50 and that score line really addresses the scoring efficiency of the ladder leaders who burst away with a four goal to nil lead by the eleven minute mark of the match. They maintained that position as the status quo until late in the third quarter and then ran away with the game with those seven unanswered final term goals. As predicted, they held the advantage in the ruck and on the ball and won in most positions. They were better at the stoppages, they were better in the air and on the ground and their ball use was far more efficient.

And that was with their substitute on the ground for the second half in place of Matthew Pavlich and Michael Walters also injured, making the eventual winning margin of 68 points all the more impressive.

Of course, Melbourne's ineptitude in front of goal after half-time was not helpful. The Demons had 11 shots (for one goal) to 14 (for 10) in that half of football and that result of itself pretty much summarizes the difference between a premiership contender and one that simply isn't ready to take on the big boys.

Melbourne does have some promising players and Jesse Hogan is one of those who came back down to earth after the excitement of Anzac Eve. He tried hard and did some special things but he was taught a lesson by an experienced defender in Luke McPharlin who has been playing the game at this level since Hogan was in primary school.

Hogan missed the presence of Chris Dawes to help out up forward. And when the team comes up against two monster ruckmen next time it would be helpful if Mark Jamar was given some more assistance in that area as well. Of course, with the injuries mounting on a weekly basis, the team's depth or lack thereof is being tested more and more.

Tom McDonald continued his great season while Jeff Garlett worked hard for his three goals but should have kicked at least five.

Melbourne 2.2.14 5.4.34 6.8.44 6.14.50

Fremantle 5.3.33 8.6.54 11.8.74 18.10.118

Goals

Melbourne Garlett 3 Brayshaw Hogan vandenBerg

Fremantle Mayne 4 Mundy Neale Pearce Suban Taberner 2 N Suban 2 De Boer Fyfe Hill Sandilands

Best

Melbourne T McDonald Garlett Brayshaw Dunn Garland Tyson

Fremantle Mayne Fyffe Mundy Neale Barlow Hill

Changes

Melbourne Cam Pedersen replaced Chris Dawes (calf) in the selected side.

Fremantle Nil

Injuries

Melbourne Salem (concussion)

Fremantle Pavlich (concussion) Walters (concussion)

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Fremantle Nil

Umpires Ben Ryan Troy Pannell Robert OGorman

Official Crowd 22,892 at MCG

I'm sure this is somehow the fault of McKenzie or Grimes.

I hate reality..

nat Fyfe is a freak

Fremantle are awesome, we didn't take our chances and the umpiring was a disgrace.

I don't know why Watts gets so much scrutiny, he works so hard and puts his body on the line.

Freo won.

Shock.

Horror.

Missing too many key players...

They're good.

Fremantle are awesome, we didn't take our chances and the umpiring was a disgrace.

I don't know why Watts gets so much scrutiny, he works so hard and puts his body on the line.

because he's crap

I'm sure this is somehow the fault of McKenzie or Grimes.

Nah... was whoever recruited em and ultimately whoever appointed the recruiters who recruited them

Thank god for the kids - a base to build upon. Pederson stepped up. Pity some of our more experienced players couldn't step up too.

I'm sure this is somehow the fault of McKenzie or Grimes.

No but it was quite clear McKenzies disposal hasn't improved. it's just not up to standard and never will be.

Drop Mckenzie plz

The last quarter was disappointing and I would have liked to see us stay in it for longer, but the previous two quarters showed that in time we have what it takes.

The end result is hardly surprising and they have some SERIOUSLY good players. They will go close to a flag this year.

We are better than the end result. Hopefully enough posters on here realise this.

Fremantle are awesome, we didn't take our chances and the umpiring was a disgrace.

I don't know why Watts gets so much scrutiny, he works so hard and puts his body on the line.

Sarcasm is hard to detect on forums but somehow I think you're comment about watts may have had a bit of sarcasm about it.

- Terrible disposal.

- Not sticking tackles, particularly in the centre bounces.

- Not working hard enough to spread, get the handball receives or present for a lead.

By my calculations, the above factors when presented against a top four side result in a resounding defeat.

Perverseness offered more than Dawes.

Ed: Pedersen... (Autocorrect)

Fremantle are awesome, we didn't take our chances and the umpiring was a disgrace.

I don't know why Watts gets so much scrutiny, he works so hard and puts his body on the line.

Now now Clint... going a little early aren't you !!? ....

Perverseness offered more than Dawes.

Ed: Pedersen... (Autocorrect)

Not sure.....Dawes straightens us up...

Not sure.....Dawes straightens us up...

Can we play with both Dawes and Pedersen? Or does that leave us too tall?

I'm sure this is somehow the fault of McKenzie or Grimes.

Today did seem like a bit off a 2013 reunion,at least Brayshaw seems immune to it.

I'm sure this is somehow the fault of McKenzie or Grimes.

Grimes played fairly well but Jetta probably reclaims his spot next week.

Pedo was alright without being great - Dawes probably reclaims his spot.

McKenzie didn't seem to have any input - probably replace with best available

On another note:

Disappointed with Howe in that last quarter - a senior player and missed 3 or 4 shots on goal just not good enough

Freo has probably the best midfield in the comp. Melb has the worst. There's your two or three goal difference a quarter. With that said there there were a number of disappointing Melb players.

Can someone set Dom Tyson's alarm clock next week, if he could wake up some time this season, that'd be great.

Pedo is best 22.

Watts isn't.

Thank [censored] for Tom McDonald.

[censored] off everything else.

I still think we lack a couple of real class midfielders.

Brayshaw and Petracca may become what we need but it will take a couple of years.

We really have to land a big fish in the off season such as a Shiel or a Dangerfield.

Can we play with both Dawes and Pedersen? Or does that leave us too tall?

Different roles.

Ped can clunk marks further up the ground.

Hogan was monstered by Freo today.....so, I believe that there's room for both.

Reality is Freo is absolutely a 10 goal better team than us. We all know it.

Add that to Jones, Tyson and Vince having poor games, no Viney, no Jetta, Salem injured, no Dawes, disposal efficiency in the toilet and bad umpiring and the result was inevitable.

I'm just disappointed that we lost it completely in the last and stopped trying.

Positives; McDonald, Brayshaw, Hogan.

Glad I'm leaving the country tomorrow and won't be back until the Hawthorn game.