FREMANTLE has stunned Greater Western Sydney in the upset of the season, snapping the Giants' nine-game winning streak in Canberra with a 24-point triumph on Saturday.
Both teams struggled for efficiency by foot despite the perfect conditions which made the clash tough to watch at times, but despite trailing by four points at three-quarter time, the Dockers slammed on six straight goals to run out 16.10 (106) to 11.16 (82) winners.
DOCKER DELIGHT Full match coverage and stats
GWS decided against using in-form tagger Matt de Boer on Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe and it came back to haunt the home side, after he finished the day with 31 possessions and 13 clearances in an inspirational performance.
Michael Walters (25 disposals and three goals) was also a damaging Docker through the midfield, while forwards Brandon Matera (four goals), Matt Taberner (three) and Jesse Hogan (three) gave the Giants' defence trouble all afternoon.
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That's some goal from Brandon Matera. #AFLGiantsFreo pic.twitter.com/5eYCKADqQ3
The Giants looked lethargic after their huge win in Geelong last week, with Stephen Coniglio (37 touches), Josh Kelly (29) and Lachie Whitfield (25) their chief ball-winners.
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Despite a quiet day Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals, while Jeremy Finlayson added three.
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The only worry for the Dockers was an incident behind the play that saw youngster Taylin Duman clash with Lachie Whitfield in the third quarter, which Match Review Officer Michael Christian will certainly investigate.
Is Docker Taylin Duman in trouble for this?#AFLGiantsFreo pic.twitter.com/AxlvlemnsP
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The Giants opted to start the match with de Boer on the wing opposed to running machine Bradley Hill, and the former Docker limited Hill to just nine first-half possessions, but that gave Fyfe the freedom to do his best work around the footy.
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The Brownlow medallist dominated the scrambles, winning seven of Fremantle's 18 centre clearances alone, and he repeatedly gave the visitors momentum around the contests.
With the cleaner forward entries the Dockers forwards took full advantage with Hogan (14 marks) and Taberner (13) unstoppable in the air, although the latter's finishing (3.3) in front of goal robber him of a decent haul.
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Giants coach Leon Cameron will be searching for answers after the uninspiring performance, and last term fade-out.
MEDICAL ROOM
Greater Western Sydney: Co-captain Phil Davis suffered a broken nose early and rolled his left ankle late in the game and could be set for a stint on the sidelines, while Adam Kennedy received a corked thigh in the first half but played out the match.
Fremantle: The only concern for the visitors came late with a left leg injury for late inclusion Brennan Cox.
Phil Davis injured himself in a marking contest late in fourth quarter of #AFLGiantsFreo. pic.twitter.com/vjuIaYuoKT
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NEXT UP
The in-form Giants take on cross-town rival Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night, while the Dockers host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium later the same night.
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GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.6 7.9 10.13 11.16 (82)
FREMANTLE 4.4 8.7 10.9 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Finlayson 3, Daniels, Himmelberg, Coniglio, Buntine
Fremantle: Matera 4, Taberner 3, Walters 3, Hogan 3, Switkowski, Colyer, Lobb
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Whitfield, Kelly, Reid, Williams
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Langdon, Matera, Taberner, Hogan, Mundy
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Davis (broken nose, left ankle), Kennedy (corked thigh)
Fremantle: McCarthy (illness) replaced in selected side by Cox, Cox (left leg)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Hosking, Glouftsis
Crowd: 11,277 at UNSW Canberra Oval