AFL Round 1 – Fremantle v Adelaide: Are these the Dockers’ true colours?

by Josh Barnstable

After a slightly uneventful day which saw Port Adelaide withstand a fast-finishing North Melbourne outfit by 14 points and Collingwood surprising everyone, dominating the Bulldogs to win by 36 points. I was feeling a bit down after the Roos lost to the Power, but I looked forward to the prospect of a tight match between Fremantle and Adelaide at Subiaco Oval. Deciding to tackle the idea of doing a report of a match being broadcast on the radio, I look forward to it as I steal the radio Mum and I bought Dad for his birthday last year. I set the dial on 97.7, and listen as the familiar sound of the Subiaco siren blares.

I’m also on MSN talking with fellow Almanackers Adam Bulman, Steve Healy, Danielle Eid and Damian Watson. Adam and Damo are watching the game through the internet, while Steve and I are both listening to it on the radio. The game begins and after errors, missed shots at goal and shocking clangers, Chris Mayne kicks the first goal before Adelaide replies quickly through Patrick Dangerfield. Matthew Pavlich puts through a mongrel punt before Taylor Walker converts from 50 to draw scores level. The Dockers lead at quarter time though, 2.5 to 2.3.

The second quarter starts and Hayden Ballantyne marks from a Michael Barlow pass and converts. Pavlich kicks a good goal, Des Headland kicks a big goal after some great pressure by Ballantyne, Barlow kicks his first goal of league footy and is imposing himself with the big boys, Garrick Ibbotson boots a goal off the ground and all of a sudden the margin has blown out to 35 points. Mayne puts through his second before Walker goals. Alex Silvagni (SNOS) kicks a massive goal on the run from outside 50, before a late goal to Nathan Bock saw the margin reduced to 36 points at half time, 9.9 to 4.3.

With Barlow on 20 disposals, he is on track to break Dein Greig’s record of 39 touches on debut. Kurt Tippett opens up the second half with a goal before Ryan Crowley hits back with a goal from a tight angle. The Crows hit a purple patch though, with goals through Walker and two in a row to Scott Thompson, reducing the margin to 17 points. Anthony Morabito replies with a thumping goal from 60m out, and Ballantyne impresses with a good goal, but a late goal to Walker sees the margin at 25 at the last break, 12.11 to 9.4.

The final quarter starts and Barlow excites the crowd with his second goal, before Headland kicks two quick goals in succession, taking the lead out to 47 points. Pavlich kicks a goal which is helped through in the goalsquare, and David Mundy adds his name to the goalkickers list with a long goal from outside 50, the icing on the Purple Haze cake, Fremantle winning by 56 points, 17.16.118 to 9.8.62.

This is the third match of Round 1 being decided by 56 points, and the Dockers sit in second position after a record-breaking win against the Adelaide Crows. And I know it’s a great initiative by the Dockers and goes to a good cause, but I think Fremantle should bin the green, red, purple and white jumpers and wear the purple and white number that they wear once a year. It makes them look sharper, and is just pleasing to the eye. But in any jumper tonight, the Dockers were on and have started off 2010 on a good note, and have unearthed a star in the making. 33 possessions, two goals on debut, Michael Barlow will be a champion.

Fremantle 2.5—9.9—12.11—17.16.118

Adelaide 2.3—4.3—9.4—9.8.62

Goalkickers:

Fremantle-Pavlich 3, Headland 3, Barlow 2, Mayne 2, Ballantyne 2, Mundy, Morabito, Silvagni, Ibbotson, Crowley

Adelaide-Walker 4, Thompson 2, Bock, Dangerfield, Tippett

Best:

Fremantle-Barlow, McPharlin, Duffield, Pavlich, Broughton, Hill, Sandilands, Mundy, Suban

Adelaide-Walker, Thompson, Goodwin, Cook, Mackay

Crowd:

30,976 at Subiaco Oval

Votes:

3: Michael Barlow (F)

2: Luke McPharlin (F)

1: Paul Duffield (F)

About Josh Barnstable

21 year old North Melbourne supporter from country Victoria. Currently living in Melbourne studying a Bachelor of Sports Media. Dreams of becoming a sports journalist and broadcaster.

Comments

  1. Josh Barnstable says

    Thanks to Steve, Adam and Damo for the occasional bit of info I may have missed on the radio.

  2. Not a good start for Adelaide, but hopefully things will improve! But yes I agree Michael Barlow was impressive (unfortunately for Adelaide!)

Leave a Comment

*