Geelong regarded more likely to dangle on for a nail-biting win over Fremantle when Isaac Smith goaled late within the remaining quarter to place the house aspect up by seven factors, however spectacular snapped targets from Michael Frederick and Lachie Schultz put the guests again in entrance and so they held on to assert a deserved 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (64) triumph at GMHBA Stadium.
The loss was compounded by a hamstring harm to versatile tall Mark Blicavs, who was subbed out of the sport within the second quarter. The harm could not finish there, with spearhead Tom Hawkins additionally trying proppy late within the recreation.
It was the second time in as a few years the Dockers had triumphed away to Geelong by a single-figure margin, following their unlikely three-point win on the identical venue in spherical seven, 2022.
02:07
The Cats at the moment are outdoors the highest eight with solely 4 video games to play within the dwelling and away season.
It was a bitter capsule to swallow for Chris Scott on the day he overtook the legendary Reg Hickey because the longest-serving coach in Geelong’s historical past along with his 305th recreation in cost.
CATS v DOCKERS Full match protection and stats
The Cats began the higher in excellent circumstances, kicking the one two targets of the primary time period via Tyson Stengle and Max Properties to guide by 12 factors on the first change.
Former Solar Josh Corbett then grew to become the unlikely prime ahead goal for Fremantle, slotting his first two targets of the season within the second quarter and lacking a golden probability so as to add a 3rd.
The Dockers held a slender one-point lead at halftime and prolonged that margin to 3 on the remaining change, due partially to an uncharacteristic bout of inaccuracy from Jeremy Cameron.
The Geelong spearhead had a wasteful 1.5 to his title via the opening three phrases, together with a miss after the three-quarter time siren.
Cameron then did not even make the gap with one other shot within the remaining time period, shortly earlier than Schultz iced the sport on the different finish for Fremantle.
00:52
Frederick channels the Little Grasp with pocket rocket
Michael Frederick isn’t any stranger to producing a spotlight, however the 23-year-old produced his finest but in opposition to the Cats. Seven factors down with time working out, Frederick learn a bouncing forward-50 entry to perfection, gathering and snapping on the run. Not solely was the dazzling shot was harking back to Gary Ablett jnr’s 2009 stunner in opposition to Brisbane, nevertheless it introduced the Dockers again to only one level shy of the Cats.
Damage watch on two key Cats
The Cats’ powerful street to finals could get more durable, with potential accidents to key gamers compounding Saturday’s loss. Versatile tall Mark Blicavs was subbed out of the sport within the second quarter after clutching his hamstring, whereas Tom Hawkins pulled up quick after sprinting down the bottom.
GEELONG 2.2 5.4 6.10 9.10 (64)
FREMANTLE 0.2 5.5 7.7 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Geelong: O.Henry 2, Hawkins 2, Stengle, Holmes, Cameron, Shut, Smith
Fremantle: Corbett 2, Frederick 2, Schultz 2, Walters, Switkowski, Sturt, Amiss
BEST
Geelong: Stewart, Duncan, Guthrie, De Koning
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Pearce, Serong, Ryan
INJURIES
Geelong: Blicavs (hamstring), Hawkins (calf)
Fremantle: None
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Mark O’Connor (changed Mark Blicavs within the second quarter)
Fremantle: Ethan Stanley (changed Neil Erasmus within the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 21,619 at GMHBA Stadium
