Nat Fyfe put on a first-half punting clinic and Alex Pearce was a rock in defense as Fremantle continued their unbeaten start to the AFL season with a 35-point win over Adelaide at Perth Stadium.
Adelaide was their own worst enemy on what was supposed to be Good Friday, and the Ravens produced a horror show with shocking errors of skill and woeful decision-making.
Despite the poor performance, the visitors trailed by just 10 points at three-quarter time before the Dockers racked up four goals to nil in the final quarter to take the 9.15 (69) to 4.10 ( 34) in front of 51,037 fans. .
The result improved Fremantle’s record to 3-0 in what marks its best start to a season since 2015, while Adelaide’s finals hopes are already hanging in the balance at 0-3.
Dockers veteran Nat Fyfe had 13 possessions and eight clearances in the first half alone before fading after that.
Pearce not only limited Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker to 0.1 from seven disposals, but also provided excellent rebounding from defence.
Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark were also excellent at the back for Fremantle, while Hayden Young (32 disposals, eight clearances) was prolific in midfield, picking up where Fyfe left off.
Adelaide veteran Matt Crouch battled hard to claim 28 disposals and seven clearances, while captain Jordan Dawson racked up 27 possessions.
But on a dirty night for the Crows, Wayne Milera limped off late in the third quarter after injuring his right knee on an awkward landing, while Lachlan Murphy hurt his knee in the fourth quarter.
AAP
