Lyon’s cull does trick for Freo

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon’s decision to wield the axe paid massive dividends as the Dockers notched a shock 16-point win over the Western Bulldogs in last night’s AFL clash at Domain Stadium.

Lyon copped widespread criticism after he fielded the league’s third oldest team of Round2 in an 89-point loss to Port Adelaide.

The veteran coach axed six players after that match, with elder statesmen Zac Dawson, Jon Griffin, and Danyle Pearce among those to bite the dust. Lyon’s punt on youth paid off as the Dockers shot out of the blocks, and then withstood a Bulldogs fightback, to win 13.11 (89) to 10.13 (73) .

Liam Picken’s night was over before halftime after copping a hip to the head while trying to tackle Fremantle’s Tom Sheridan.

Picken lay dazed on the ground as play continued dangerously close to him.

But the umpire finally blew the whistle to stop play once Nat Fyfe collected the ball and put his hand up to signal something was wrong.

The Dockers trailed by 14 points at the final change, but booted five unanswered goals in the final term.

Fyfe finished the match with 33 disposals, while Stephen Hill, Lachie Neale, and Michael Walters (three goals) were also important.

Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter was one of his team’s bes with three goals.