A methodical Fremantle has maintained its perfect AFL season, taking apart Melbourne to record their fifth straight AFL win.
Ross Lyon’s side sit alone as the only unbeaten side at the top of the AFL ladder after their 18.10 (118) to 6.14 (50) victory at the MCG.
Bidding to win back-to-back games for the first time in five years, Melbourne were never in the contest after shipping the first four goals within the opening ten minutes.
Until the last term, the Demons were outclassed but not embarrassed, unable to muster a sustained challenge against a side that made few errors.
But the Demons took the last term off, conceding seven straight goals to give the Dockers a percentage boost.
David Mundy and Nat Fyfe were strong contributors for Fremantle, with Chris Mayne impressively leading the Dockers attack in the absence of Matthew Pavlich.
Pavlich was concussed in the first half, as was small forward Michael Walters.
Despite an interchange bench of just two for the second half, the Dockers powered on.
Fremantle were efficient and clean, able to exploit a seemingly endless string of favourable match-ups across the ground.
The tall and big-bodied side were stronger in the contest, leading from their first goal to the final whistle.
Stephen Hill, Matt Taberner, Nick Suban and Mundy’s first term goals gave the Dockers a strong buffer.
Demons coach Paul Roos issued a spirited quarter-time address after his side’s error-strewn start.
Melbourne lifted in the second quarter, but just as they summoned some momentum, an unfortunate 50m penalty to Jeff Garlett gave Dockers substitute Matt de Boer an easy goal.
Shortly after, the Fremantle skipper headed from the ground after taking a high hit in a strong challenge from Colin Garland.
Mayne kicked truly from Pavlich’s shot for goal, ensuring any foothold the Demons had was lost.
From halftime, the Dockers pushed on, kicking 9.4 to 1.9 to settle an unremarkable game in front of 22,892 people.
Mayne led the Dockers goalkickers with four majors while Garlett kicked three for the Demons.
