The West Coast Eagles were a little rusty and forced into error by a more polished Fremantle outfit in a practice game at Mineral Resources Park today.
After the balance of play was relatively even for most of the first half, the Dockers controlled the game thereafter on the way to winning 16.11 (107) to 9.6 (60).
While the coaching staff would have been disappointed with the result, the match exposure was managed for several stars – including captain Luke Shuey and key defenders Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern, who all sat out the second half.
Shuey and Barrass were particularly effective in the first half while McGovern also took a number of trademark intercept marks.
Fremantle built its domination around midfield supremacy and were particularly damaging out of the middle. Just the same, Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan and Andrew Gaff produced typically hard-working efforts while Jamaine Jones showed flashes of what he might offer the team.
The defence generally held up considering the avalanche of opportunities they had to contend with; emerging defender Josh Rotham was a standout while Alex Witherden, in his first semi-formal hit-out with his new teammates, and veteran Shannon Hurn did what he needed to do.
Oscar Allen had moments at both ends of the ground, while Jack Darling competed throughout, Liam Ryan had some eye-catching moves and Jamie Cripps, after a quiet first half, finished with three goals.
Former GWS forward Zac Langdon was the only injury concern, rolling his ankle in a tackle in the dying minutes of the game, but he has escaped serious injury.
While the Eagles rested several players after half-time, Fremantle star Nat Fyfe also sat out the game after the main break, but had been influential to that point. Michael Walters shone up forward and kicked four goals.
The two clubs will go it again next Sunday in an AAMI pre-season series match at Optus Stadium. The Eagles are optimistic some of the established stars rested today – among them Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Josh Kennedy – will be available.
Details
Fremantle 3.0 6.4 12.7 16.11 (107)
West Coast Eagles 1.1 2.4 4.5 9.6 (60)
Goals – Fremantle: Walters 4; Treacy, Lobb 2; Brayshaw, Crowden, Schultz, Banfield, Serong, Fyfe, Henry, Frederick.
West Coast Eagles: Cripps 3; Brander 2; Darling, Sheed, Vardy, Allen.
Best – Fremantle: Walters, Brayshaw, Fyfe, Young, Serong.
West Coast Eagles: Rotham, Duggan, Shuey, Sheed, Barrass, Witherden.
