FREMANTLE has moved to within touching distance of the AFL’s top-eight after a tense 12-point win over Collingwood in Robert Harvey’s first match as the Magpies’ caretaker coach.
David Mundy and Andrew Brayshaw played important midfield roles as the Dockers overcame a slow start and the pre-match loss of skipper Nat Fyfe (shoulder) in a tight affair.
The visitors coughed up a four-goal lead in the second half at Marvel Stadium and fell behind when the Magpies made their move in the final term.
But two late goals from Fyfe’s replacement Brett Bewley and another from Lachie Schultz helped Fremantle post an important 14.7 (91) to 12.7 (79) victory.
It came at a cost with key forward Matt Taberner hobbling off with a knee injury before halftime.
Robb Lobb took over as the Dockers’ No.1 target in attack and finished with three goals, as did Schultz, while Liam Henry kicked two and showed composure in the dying stages.
The result snapped Fremantle’s run of seven straight losses at the Docklands venue and put them level on wins with eighth-placed Richmond.
Harvey took the reins at Collingwood when Nathan Buckley departed earlier this month and the former assistant coach made an instant statement by recalling tall forward Mason Cox.
In his first appearance since round four, Cox wasted a pair of very kickable set shots in the first half and finished goalless from just six disposals.
Taylor Adams and Scott Pendlebury were influential for the Magpies in the midfield as Brodie Grundy, Josh Thomas and Trent Bianco kicked two goals each.
Fremantle’s goals mostly came in bursts as their speed off half-back and ability to punish Collingwood turnovers led to a 19-point lead at halftime.
There were concerns over Luke Ryan after he copped an accidental boot to the head while attempting to smother a Brody Mihocek snap shot.
The star defender passed a concussion test and returned during the third quarter, playing a key role in his side’s win.
After favouring slow ball movement all day, Collingwood went on the attack in the final quarter and kicked three quick goals to level the scores.
Henry kicked a steadier for Fremantle after a contentious free kick and 50-metre penalty against Brayden Maynard.
The Magpies came again, with Grundy putting them in front before Bewley and Schultz combined to steer the Dockers home.
Grundy had an entertaining battle with emerging Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy, who was a key figure for his side in his first match since signing a new two-year contract.
(C) AAP 2021
FREMANTLE 3.3 7.5 10.6 14.7 (91)
COLLINGWOOD 2.2 4.4 7.6 12.7 (79)
Goals: Fremantle: L Schultz 3 R Lobb 3 B Bewley 2 L Henry 2 A Brayshaw J Treacy M Crowden S Switkowski. Collingwood: B Grundy 2 J Thomas 2 T Bianco 2 B Mihocek C Brown D Cameron J Elliott S Sidebottom W Hoskin-Elliott.
Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Robert O’Gorman, Andre Gianfagna.
Venue: Marvel Stadium.
