Fremantle opened their NAB Cup campaign by devastating Geelong with a clinical demolition job that is sure to see the Cats reconsidering their decision not to drop out of the AFL and focus on the VFA. They then packed up their gear and were all set to hit Leighton for a cool down when someone told them they still had another game to play.
Micky Barlow had a killer stitch from dominating in the first game, Michael Walters had already washed off his temporary neck tattoos that he applies to look more dangerous on the field, Sandilands was halfway into his roasted pig (or 'the entre' as he calls it) and Ballantyne was already on the train back to Mandurah. There are tv contracts and such in place though so Ross Lyon gathered together who ever he could find and sent them out to make a bit of a contest of it for the ticket holders. Unfortunately the Eagles were treating it as their grand final and the whole thing turned into a bit of a farce, with West Coast winning, in controversial circumstances, by 24 points.
Earlier against the Cats the Dockers had looked the goods though. Michael Barlow should be back on Brownlow pace, racking up a bag full of stats as Fremantle's only midfielder. Stephen Hill darted in and out of the game but will be better for the run. Michael Walters was dangerous up forward and Chris Mayne was looking good until his ankle packed it in and headed for the ice bath.
Fremantle's gentlemen of the midfield, Sutcliffe and Sheridden were the most lively of the youngsters, along with Hayden Crozier doing some handy work in front of goals. the two Pearce boys covered plenty of ground and looked dangerous while Zac Dawson was as good as he was last year.
Fremantle have the week off now then head over to Melbourne to play Carlton on the 2nd of March.