It was a first half short on highlights,but young forward Nic Martin gave the Bombers’ fans something to get excited about.
The fourth-gamer scooped up a loose handball and snapped his side’s first goal of the game from about 30 metres out,and then kicked the opening goal of the second term to keep his side’s nose in front.
The Dockers,however,found their mojo and kicked three of the last four goals of the half,before a moment of indicipline gave the Bombers an unlikely shot on goal after the siren.
Sam Switkowski was caught holding the ball by Nik Cox near the boundary line about 75 metres out,but when he heard the siren sound,he dropped the ball,thinking the play had ended.
But the umpire paid a 50-metre penalty,taking Cox to about 25 metres out. However,the 199-centimetre key tall couldn’t convert the shot at goal,leaving his side three points shy of Fremantle at the main break.
Taberner’s power on display
Taberner reminded Fremantle fans why he’s so important to the Dockers’ winning chances,and perhaps finals hopes,kicking seven goals – four in the third term when the game was up for grabs.
Stringing games together has always been Taberner’s Achilles heel,but he showed between rounds one and 10 last year that with a consistent run of footy,he can provide Fremantle with a terrific focal point ahead of the ball. He kicked 27 goals in that period last year.
The Dockers’ other key forward – Rory Lobb – had very little impact,with just five kicks,seven handballs and one behind,but Taberner’s performance masked that.
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Taberner had only once kicked five goals in a game before Sunday – back in 2016 in an 83-point win over the Brisbane Lions.
Heppell’s bright afternoon
Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell produced his best outing for 2022,proving one of the shining lights in a disappointing evening for his side.
The 29-year-old had an equal game-high 19 disposals in the first half,to go with seven contested possessions,four marks and four rebound-50s.
He finished with a game-high 12 intercept possessions,while his haul of 34 disposals was his first above 30 since the 2019 elimination final loss to West Coast.
Darcy Parish was the other Bomber of note with 33 touches.
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FREMANTLE 2.2 6.5 12.8 16.11 (107)
ESSENDON1.4 5.8 5.10 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 7,Banfield 2,Frederick 2,Darcy 2,Switkowski 2,Brayshaw.
Essendon: Waterman 2,Martin 2,Cox,Guelfi,Draper,Caldwell.
BEST
Fremantle: Taberner,Brayshaw,Ryan,Pearce,Serong,Darcy.
Essendon: Heppell,Parish,Kelly,Smith,Guelfi.
VOTES
Matt Taberner (Fremantle) 8
Dyson Heppell (Essendon) 7
Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle) 7
Luke Ryan (Fremantle) 6
Alex Pearce (Fremantle) 6
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