Young's three goals and Bolton's dagger lift Fremantle to 12-point win over Western Bulldogs

Key facts

• Fremantle defeated Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114) to 15.12 (102) at Marvel Stadium.
• The Dockers kicked 10 goals in the second half after trailing by six goals at quarter time.
• Hayden Young scored three goals, including a Goal of the Year contender, from 20 disposals.
• Shai Bolton had 30 disposals and one goal, sealing the win with a late dagger.
• Marcus Bontempelli had 33 disposals and two goals while playing with a knee injury.
• The Bulldogs suffered their fourth straight loss after a 4-0 start to the season.
• Tim English returned from a knee injury, contributing 15 touches and 21 hit-outs.
• Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir delivered a fierce quarter-time spray that sparked the turnaround.

Second-half avalanche propels Dockers to victory

Fremantle produced a stunning second-half surge to overcome the Western Bulldogs by 12 points in a classic AFL encounter at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. The Dockers, who trailed by six goals after the first quarter, erupted with 10 goals after halftime to claim a 17.12 (114) to 15.12 (102) road victory. The win extended Fremantle's streak to seven consecutive victories under coach Justin Longmuir and secured the club a top-two position on the ladder by the end of the round. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, suffered their fourth straight loss following a promising 4-0 start to the season.

Longmuir's quarter-time blast ignites turnaround

Fremantle's slow start saw the Bulldogs kick six goals in the opening term, prompting a fierce spray from coach Justin Longmuir at quarter time. The Dockers responded emphatically, transforming their performance in the second half. Longmuir's side looked like a completely different team after the break, with the midfield unit leading the charge. Luke Jackson amassed 18 touches, eight tackles, one goal and 36 hit-outs, while Shai Bolton collected 30 disposals and a goal. Hayden Young was the standout, booting three goals from 20 disposals including a contender for Goal of the Year.

Bontempelli dominates early but fades as Young steals show

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was dominant in the first quarter, recording 15 disposals and two goals as his side built a commanding lead. Despite clearly playing through a knee injury — his knee heavily strapped — Bontempelli finished with 33 disposals and two goals. However, it was Hayden Young who ultimately stole the spotlight. The Fremantle midfielder's three-goal haul, highlighted by a spectacular effort, lifted the Dockers as they overwhelmed the Bulldogs in the second half. Young's performance overshadowed Bontempelli's early heroics and proved decisive in the outcome.

Bulldogs fight back but Bolton delivers the dagger

The Western Bulldogs refused to surrender, kicking three consecutive goals in the fourth quarter to cut Fremantle's lead from 28 points to just five points in the dying minutes. The home crowd roared as the Dogs mounted a stirring comeback. But Shai Bolton produced a moment of brilliance to extinguish the Bulldogs' hopes, kicking a dagger goal that sealed the win for Fremantle. The Dockers held on for a 12-point victory, leaving Bulldogs fans heartbroken at Marvel Stadium.

Injury-hit Bulldogs struggle to maintain early-season form

The undermanned Bulldogs welcomed back ruckman Tim English from a knee injury, with the big man contributing 15 touches and 21 hit-outs. However, the team's fourth consecutive loss raises questions about their ability to sustain their strong start to the season. Marcus Bontempelli's visible knee issue adds to the club's injury concerns, though the skipper produced a brilliant showing despite the limitation. The Bulldogs now face an uphill battle to regain momentum after falling from a 4-0 record to 4-4.

Fremantle's flag credentials strengthened by seventh straight win

Fremantle's emphatic victory over a quality opponent reinforces their status as genuine premiership contenders. The Dockers' ability to overcome a six-goal deficit and dominate the second half demonstrates the resilience and depth of Longmuir's squad. With a top-two position secured, Fremantle is well placed for a deep finals run. The team's star-studded midfield, including Bolton, Jackson and Young, provides a formidable foundation for success in the second half of the season.

The bottom line

• Fremantle's 10-goal second half turned a six-goal deficit into a 12-point win, their seventh straight victory.
• Hayden Young's three goals and Shai Bolton's late dagger were pivotal in the Dockers' comeback.
• Marcus Bontempelli played through a knee injury with 33 disposals and two goals but couldn't prevent the Bulldogs' fourth straight loss.
• Coach Justin Longmuir's quarter-time spray sparked a dramatic turnaround in Fremantle's performance.
• The Bulldogs' 4-0 start has evaporated, leaving them at 4-4 and facing injury concerns.