Fremantle Dominates West Coast, Geelong Ends Melbourne's MCG Streak in AFL

Jye Amiss has kicked five goals and Murphy Reid produced a third-quarter clinic as Fremantle continued their western derby dominance with a 70-point win over West Coast at Perth Stadium.

The Dockers led by just eight points at half-time of Friday night's match before kicking 11 goals to one in the second half to race out easy 16.16 (112) to 6.6 (42) winners.

Amiss took seven marks inside 50m on the way to 5.1, while last year's Rising Star winner Murphy Reid (26 disposals, one goal) snared the Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield after turning the contest on its head with a mesmerising nine-possession third quarter.

Matthew Johnson (29 disposals, six clearances) and Caleb Serong (26 disposals, seven clearances) also had big games in front of 56,616 fans — a record home crowd for a Fremantle regular-season game.

There was late concern for West Coast mid-season recruit Oliver Francou when his right knee was gashed open after sliding over the studs of Andrew Brayshaw during a tackle. Eagles players immediately signalled to the bench for help as Francou lay on his back and lifted his leg high in the air to stop blood from gushing out.

Star West Coast midfielder Harley Reid battled hard on the way to 30 disposals, 12 clearances, while Tim Kelly (31 disposals, 603m gained) and defender Marcus Herbert (36 disposals) were prominent.

The Dockers have now won five derbies on the trot — and 10 of the past 11 — to close to within three in the overall head-to-head ledger (33-30).

The result means Fremantle (17-2) will finish the round at least three wins clear on top of the table with just four rounds remaining, putting them in an excellent position to snare just their second minor premiership.

Melbourne's MCG golden run is over, losing to rejuvenated Geelong by 20 points.

Entering the Friday night blockbuster with a perfect 9-0 record at the 'G this year, the Demons were destroyed by the Cats' powerful seven-goal second quarter.

The second half was a stalemate after Geelong led by 20 points at the main break, the Cats always responding to the Dees' challenges to secure a vital win — 18.9 (117) to 14.13 (97).

In the absence of injured star Jeremy Cameron, key forward Shannon Neale put through four first-half goals and seemed set for a career-best bag.

Neale finished with five goals, but recalled forward Ollie Henry stepped up with four to justify his late promotion when key defender Sam De Koning was pulled out of the squad with illness only an hour before the match.

Oliver Wiltshire also had a significant cameo, kicking three goals, including dribbling the sealer through with six minutes remaining.

After losing five out of six games, the Cats have managed to defy crucial injuries to beat St Kilda and Melbourne to keep themselves in the hunt for a top-six finish.

After signing on to play again in 2027 earlier on Friday, captain Patrick Dangerfield had to battle through pain after hurting his adductor in the second term. Dangerfield soldiered on to finish with 12 possessions, but never looked convincing in his body and continued to receive heavy treatment whenever he was on the bench.

Melbourne will remain in sixth, but the result cost them a chance to keep pressure on for a top-four spot.