Fremantle Dockers Defeat Melbourne Demons in Pre-Season Match

Image credits: AFL Photos

The Fremantle Dockers have started their pre-season campaign on a high note, defeating the Melbourne Demons by 19 points in a thrilling match at Mandurah's Rushton Park. The Dockers' prized recruit, Shai Bolton, made a impressive debut for his new club, booting two goals and showcasing his skills in the front half. Bolton's performance was complemented by veteran forward Michael Walters, who kicked an equal game-high three goals to cement his spot in the Dockers' round one team.

The match was a see-sawing affair, with both teams having their moments of dominance. The Demons' midfield duo of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were impressive, combining for 20 clearances and providing a strong foundation for their team. However, the Dockers' attacking flair and adventurous play ultimately proved too much for the Demons, with Fremantle kicking five unanswered goals in the second quarter to take control of the match. The midfield battle was intense, with both teams giving their all to gain the upper hand. The defence of the Dockers was solid, and their attack was clinical in their execution.

The Demons will be concerned about the injury to key forward Jacob van Rooyen, who was forced out of the game with a back spasm in the opening minute. Van Rooyen's absence would be a significant blow to the Demons' attacking prospects, and his availability for round one will be closely monitored. In terms of player statistics, the match saw some impressive performances, including:

• Clayton Oliver: 28 disposals, 11 clearances, 3 goals
• Christian Petracca: 33 disposals, 9 clearances
• Shai Bolton: 2 goals
• Michael Walters: 3 goals

The tournament schedule for the upcoming season is as follows:

1. Round 1: Melbourne Demons vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
2. Round 1: Fremantle Dockers vs Geelong Cats

The team rankings after this match are:

• Fremantle Dockers: 1st
• Melbourne Demons: 2nd

The Dockers' win was a promising start to their pre-season campaign, and they will look to build on this performance in their upcoming matches. The Demons, on the other hand, will need to regroup and focus on their round one clash against the Giants. With the season just around the corner, both teams will be eager to fine-tune their preparations and make a strong start to the year.

In terms of fantasy football, the match saw some notable performances, with Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca impressing for the Demons, and Shai Bolton and Michael Walters standing out for the Dockers. The match scores were:

• Fremantle Dockers: 16.13 (109)
• Melbourne Demons: 11.24 (90)

The best players for the Dockers were:

• Andrew Brayshaw
• Nathan O'Driscoll
• Michael Walters

The best players for the Demons were:

• Clayton Oliver
• Christian Petracca
• Max Gawn

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