Pavlich goes out a winner over Bulldogs
WESTERN Bulldogs had nothing to play for, but they will have everything on the line when they return to Perth after being ambushed by a Matthew Pavlich-inspired Fremantle yesterday.
Retiring Pavlich was at the centre of a cauldron of purple passion, as the Dockers snapped an eight-game losing streak to shock the Dogs at Domain Stadium.
The Bulldogs were lethargic early and trailed at halftime, before the match became meaningless for the visitors during the main break.
Hawthorn’s thrilling win over Collingwood condemned the Bulldogs to a seventh-place finish and a return trip back to Perth to face West Coast in the second elimination final.
There were plenty of issues that will give Luke Beveridge a headache over the bye weekend, including the lack of impact by any talls in attack.
However, the bottom line is that this fixture ended up meaning nothing for the Dogs. The Bulldogs were subdued and behind the Eight ball all day against the spirited Dockers.
They visitors never genuinely threatened, despite remaining within striking distance throughout.
Trailing by 11 points at halftime, two goals to Tory Dickson, who finished with three, during the third term kept the Dogs within touching distance in a lacklustre game.
The first goal of the final stanza took 15 minutes, but when Shane Yarran slotted his set shot the Dockers were all but home on one of the most significant days in the club’s history.
Fremantle dominated the final term, with the home side safe despite Pavlich missing three set shots.
The Dockers were able to etch a couple of records into the history books, but ultimately Fremantle’s fourwin season will be remembered as the biggest drop-off in VFL/AFL history after it claimed last year’s minor premiership with 17 wins.
Pavlich, prominent with 20 disposals and 1.3, had his magic moment early.
Needing one goal to reach the 700 mark and it took only 14 minutes. Coincidentally, it was also his 400th goal at Subiaco.
Tom Boyd appeared to hurt his left ankle in an awkward landing in the opening term, but returned in the second quarter after receiving treatment in the rooms.
Fremantle was in charge from the outset to finish a 20-point winner.