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- Mar 25, 2014
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The first Preliminary Final of the 2020 e-AFL season will see the Fremantle Dockers host the Collingwood Magpies: a match-up that has never been seen in AFL finals history. Freo have been in this position thrice before (2006, 2013 and 2015) with mixed results, whilst the Pies have finals footy in their blood. Tune in this Wednesday to find out whether Freo can make another attempt at finals glory, or if the Pies can bask in the glow of their MCG home once more this season.
For those that missed it:
Fremantle came into the qualification final on a two game losing streak, with their form looking shaky. Luckily they retained their top four spot on the ladder and earned the second chance finishing with a 6-5 record in 4th place. Geelong were the favourites going into this game, and with it being held at the 'G there were pundits writing the Dockers off even before the opening bounce. But like in 2013, things did not go to script for the Cats. Despite trailing by as much as 23 points midway through the opening quarter, the Dockers ground their way back into the game and had things all but tied up by the half time break. In the second half Freo kept on the pressure, and eased out to a two goal lead at three quarter time and closed it out comfortably in the last. Stephen Hill (27 disposals and 9 marks) and skipper Nat Fyfe were elite in the engine room, whilst Jesse Hogan, Fyfe and youngster Luke Valente all finished with two goals each.
Collingwood finished the season in second place with an impressive 8-3 record that earned them a home qualification against the Gold Coast Suns. However they were stunned by a stirring Suns performance that forced them to come back the following week to face the Hawthorn Hawks in a sudden death Semi Final. The battle was a see-sawing affair that had six lead changes up until the end of the third quarter. Things were looking dicey at the half, as the Hawks held a 21 point lead, but a four goals to nil third quarter turned the game on its head. Another five straight goals to begin the last quarter put the matter to bed and left the Pies faithful satisfied. John Noble's four goals and Jaime Elliot's three were supplied by big efforts by Scott Pendlebury in the guts and Mason Cox, who has found a new home on the wing.
KEY STATISTICS
[TD valign="top"][/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Fremantle Dockers [/TD][TD valign="top"] Collingwood Magpies [/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Last [/TD][TD valign="top"]Defeated the Geelong Cats by 15 Points
(First Qualifying Final)[/TD][TD valign="top"]Defeated the Hawthorn Hawks by 30 points
(Second Semi Final)[/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Goals [/TD][TD valign="top"]Jesse Hogan - 52 goals[/TD][TD valign="top"]Mason Cox & John Noble - 29 goals[/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Disposals [/TD][TD valign="top"]Nat Fyfe - 266 disposals[/TD][TD valign="top"]Steele Sidebottom - 273 disposals[/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Tackles [/TD][TD valign="top"]Nat Fyfe - 72 tackles[/TD][TD valign="top"]Taylor Adams - 68 tackles[/TD]
[TD valign="top"] Fantasy [/TD][TD valign="top"]Nat Fyfe - 1063 DT points[/TD][TD valign="top"]Scott Pendlebury - 1049 DT points[/TD]
Key Match-Ups
- Nat Fyfe vs. Taylor Adams
- Mark Blicavs vs. Jesse Hogan
Prediction - Fremantle stumbled slightly at the end of the regular season with a brace of losses, but Fyfe and Hill were supreme as they dealt with the Cats. Collingwood were flying during the regular season, but have had to play the extra game and now travel the width of the e-country. With a few days extra rest, and on their home deck the Dockers start as favourites: Fremantle by 10 points.
Link to Fremantle Dockers eAFL thread: HERE
Link to Collingwood Magpies eAFL thread: HERE
Captains please have your team submitted by 11.59pm AEST on Tuesday (TOMORROW!).
TheInjuryFactory Tonga Bob, Freofalcon, bone2468, CakeEater, PurpleGreenRed, Taylor
ClarkeM Tarkyn_24 BEEG
Wooshette
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