FREMANTLE young gun Ed Langdon booted a goal after the siren to hand the vastly improved Dockers a two-point JLT Community Series triumph over Collingwood in Mandurah on Saturday.

The 21-year-old marked in the dying seconds and, from about 40m out on a 45-degree angle, drilled the match-winning major and was swamped by his teammates as they ran out 1.11.12 (87) to 1.12.4 (85) winners at Rushton Park.

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It was a morale-boosting performance for the Dockers after last week's rusty first-up showing against West Coast, but there was also plenty to like for the Pies as they fought back from 15 points down at the final change in 37-degree heat.

Importantly, star Freo ruckman Aaron Sandilands and reigning Doig medallist Lachie Neale both got through unscathed in their comebacks from injury in energy-sapping conditions.

Sandilands, returning from a calf strain, was instrumental as Freo's engine room bounced back from the Eagles loss.

The 34-year-old finished with 15 touches, 20 hit-outs and a goal, proving that yet again he holds a key to the Dockers' fortunes this season after missing most of last year through injury.

 

Neale (18 touches) worked into the game coming back from three bouts of surgery.

Meanwhile, back-up ruckman Jonathon Griffin (two goals) made the most of his opportunity in a hard-fought battle with Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox. 

"I thought you could see how important Aaron is to us, and Lachie Neale and our mids capitalised," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said.

"They were against pretty competitive ruckmen today. (Brodie) Grundy's an enormous talent.

"So for (Sandilands') first hit-out it was a credit to him. I thought with Jon Griffin that's as strong as we've looked in combination for a while."

The Dockers ratcheted up their intensity after the loss to the Eagles and - led by recruit Bradley Hill's (one supergoal, one goal) precise kicking and line-breaking run - were much slicker as they took a three-point lead into quarter-time.

Freo should have been further ahead after controlling possession (83-68), clearances (9-4) and inside 50s (14-8).

But Collingwood's ability to absorb pressure and counter-attack was impressive and the Pies made the most of a slight breeze to hit the front by two goals at the long break.

American giant Cox provided a focal point in attack and the Pies' fleet of runners swung the momentum back the visitors' way.

"(Cox) was off the pace early, his contest and work rate wasn’t where we needed it to be, but I thought that was a real step forward for him to be able to respond to that and to be a pretty significant forward target," Pies coach Nathan Buckley said.

"He's actually had a really strong pre-season … even if he's not marking them he's putting defenders under pressure."

In their first hit-outs of the pre-season, Collingwood stars Scott Pendlebury, skipper for the day Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar all had their moments as they blew out some cobwebs.

Youngster Tom Phillips (14 disposals) impressed with his dash, while Adams (21) was his typical busy self at the coalface.

Jeremy Howe was also superb for the Magpies, finishing with 24 touches and a supergoal to level scores at 73-all in the final term.

The Dockers appeared far more in tune in their second pre-season hit-out, and recruits Hill, Cam McCarthy and Joel Hamling showed encouraging signs.

McCarthy impressed with his workrate and snapped his first goal in purple in the opening term, while ex-Western Bulldogs premiership defender Hamling's intercept marking was a feature.

However, former Cats forward Shane Kersten had a tough day with just four touches before he was crunched in a marking contest on the half-time siren and taken to hospital for X-rays on his ribs.

WHAT WE LEARNED
Fremantle: The Dockers' midfield was under the microscope after last week's disappointing effort in Geraldton, but a much-improved showing has eased concerns about Freo's ability to win enough ball. Aaron Sandilands and Lachie Neale's additions obviously helped, however the Dockers simply had more contributors – with Stephen and Bradley Hill in particular exciting with their dash and ball use – and didn't have to rely as heavily on superstar Nat Fyfe.

Collingwood: For a player entering only his third AFL season, Darcy Moore is carrying a weight of expectation as the Magpies' focal point in 2017. However, the three-goal performance of Mason Cox against Freo was a promising sign that Moore might have more support than expected. Cox only took two marks, but his presence drew the ball and defenders to him, and the giant American could ease the pressure on Moore if he continues his rapid development.

NEW FACES
Fremantle: Most Dockers under-performed last week, but there was a lot to like from the new crop against Collingwood. Bradley Hill was back to his line-breaking best and used the ball with penetration. Cam McCarthy worked hard up the ground and hit the scoreboard, while ex-Bulldogs premiership backman Joel Hamling's intercept marking – he took three in the first term alone – was a highlight. Shane Kersten was sent to hospital for X-rays on his ribs after a quiet opening half, while young ruckman Sean Darcy impressed again with his competitiveness.

Collingwood: Chris Mayne had little impact against his former side, gathering just five touches, but forward sidekick Josh Daicos was lively with his pressure and showed his class in the opening term with a one-handed take and dish to set up Tom Phillips' goal. Will Hoskin-Elliott and Henry Schade flew under the radar, but ex-Melbourne defender Lynden Dunn battled hard – playing mostly on McCarthy – against a flood of supply.

NEXT UP
Fremantle has a six-day turnaround before facing Carlton next Friday night in what will be the Dockers' sole hit-out on Domain Stadium before round one. The Pies hit the road for their final JLT clash in Moe against Richmond on Saturday.

 

 

FREMANTLE             0.3.4   1.3.7   1.9.10 1.11.12 (87)
COLLINGWOOD        0.3.1   0.7.4   0.9.4   1.12.4 (85)

SUPERGOALS
Fremantle: B.Hill
Collingwood: Howe

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 3, Griffin 2, Langdon 2, B.Hill, McCarthy, Sandilands, S.Hill
Collingwood: Cox 3, Fasolo 2, Moore, Phillips, White, Treloar, Varcoe, Greenwood, Adams

BEST 
Fremantle: Sandilands, S.Hill, Walters, B.Hill, Hamling, Fyfe
Collingwood: Howe, Adams, Cox, Grundy, Treloar, Phillips

INJURIES
Fremantle: Kersten (TBC)
Collingwood: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Margetts, O'Gorman, Harris

Official crowd: 5500 (Approx) at Rushton Park