Fremantle have succumbed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Geelong, with the Cats running out 133-point winners at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Geelong, who fielded the most experienced and oldest AFL team of the round on average, taught a tough lesson to a developing Fremantle group which had eight players with under 30 games experience.
A promising first quarter, where Fremantle took a nine-point lead, was undone by the Cats kicking 23 goals to none to finish the game.
With six goals, Tom Hawkins did most of the damage for the Cats while Gary Ablett Jnr and Tim Kelly led their midfield with 26 disposals each.
Geelong dominated the territory battle, limiting Fremantle to 30 inside 50s while having 73 of their own.
Nat Fyfe toiled hard in his return to the Fremantle lineup with a game-leading 37 disposals and 19 contested possessions.
Bradley Hill, Tommy Sheridan and David Mundy were Fremantle’s only goalkickers for the day with one each.
Fremantle have seven days to regroup for their final game of the season, played against Collingwood at Optus Stadium next Sunday.
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Scott Selwood copped a poke to the eye in the first half but was able to play out the match. The Cats took the opportunity to rest Daniel Menzel's ongoing groin issue in the final term.
Fremantle: Defender Nathan Wilson was left gasping for air in the second term, courtesy of a crunching Mitch Duncan tackle. He left the ground clutching his ribs, before returning later in the quarter to play out the match.
NEXT UP
Gary Ablett will play against the Gold Coast Suns for the first time at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong looking to lock away its finals berth. Fremantle will host a blistering Collingwood on Saturday at Optus Stadium.
GEELONG 1.5 11.6 17.9 24.14 (158)
FREMANTLE 3.2 3.2 3.5 3.7 (25)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 6, Parfitt 4, Kelly 3, Tuohy 2, Menzel 2, Henry 2, Taylor, Menegola, Murdoch, Ablett, Thurlow
Fremantle: Sheridan, Mundy, Hill
BEST
Geelong: Kelly, Hawkins, Menegola, Ablett, Parfitt, Duncan, Dangerfield
Fremantle: Fyfe, Neale, Mundy, Cox
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stephens, Hay
Official crowd: 24,507 at GMHBA Stadium
