Pavlich report sours victory

Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich was reported for charging Eagle Will Schofield in Derby No.37. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE'S crushing victory over West Coast last night was soured only by the report of captain Matthew Pavlich.

Pavlich, who was held goalless after kicking eight goals the last time the teams met, had his number taken in the second quarter for charging Eagles defender Will Schofield.

Pavlich faces a nervous wait after he crashed into the back of Schofield after he had taken a mark on the wing.

The Dockers are well placed for a flying start to the new season, following the 16.12 (108) to 11.14 (80) win in front of a parochial crowd of 39,629.

They now have a 14-day break before taking on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in Round 2.

Key midfielders David Mundy and Michael Barlow tied for the Glendinning Medal after starring with 27 possessions and six clearances each.

Nick Suban and Michael Walters kicked three goals each, while free agency addition Danyle Pearce was terrific in his first appearance for his new side.

Forward Hayden Ballantyne was subbed out with a lower leg injury but coach Ross Lyon expected him to be fit for the Bulldogs clash.

"He sort of knocked his shin and got a cork in the calf, so we subbed him out,'' he said.

"There's no red alert here.''

Lyon took some pity on Fremantle's cross-town rivals, saying an undermanned West Coast had put in a brave performance against the odds.

"I think you've got to admire the Eagles,'' Lyon said.

"I know paper teams mean nothing, but the reality is that they were depleted in some areas, particularly in the midfield.

"I thought they came out and took the game right up to us. But in the end I thought our preparation and our total teamsmanship in the end was quite dominant.''

Fremantle trailed by nine points at half-time but completely controlled the third term to lead by 24 points at the final change.

It came after the Eagles led by 21 points mid-way through the first quarter when the Dockers were yet to score.

"Probably there were signs well before half-time, but we just couldn't hurt them on the scoreboard and they scored pretty easy,'' Lyon said.

"So once we tidied a few of those things up, I thought our third quarter was dominant, and then it was a real arm wrestle in the last and it opened up a bit.''

Fremantle dominated the overall inside 50 count 61-38 and won the centre clearances 17-9 despite the Eagles edging them in overall stoppage wins 42-37.

The victory put the Dockers on display around the country, with the derby the only AFL match played yesterday.

Lyon said he was unsure what message it sent the rest of the competition.

"I'm not too sure to be honest, its hard to know what other people think,'' he said.

"I think they would say we are a competitive AFL team, and that when they play us we'll be competing strongly."

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