Fremantle secured a place in the AFL preliminary final with a 14-point victory over Geelong at Optus Stadium on Friday night, recovering from their qualifying-final defeat to keep their premiership campaign alive.
The Dockers will now travel to Sydney to face the Swans for a place in the grand final. The result ended Geelong’s seven-match winning run and spared Fremantle the prospect of a straight-sets exit after they finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers.
Shai Bolton made an immediate impact, kicking two goals in the opening stages as Fremantle established early control. Hayden Young then produced a long-range finish, while Luke Jackson became increasingly influential as the contest tightened.
Jackson’s contribution proved decisive in the second half, with two timely goals followed by a passage of play that helped set up Patrick Voss. Fremantle’s ability to answer Geelong’s pressure in the closing stages ultimately preserved the lead.
The Cats threatened to mount a comeback through Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield, but a late effort from Ollie Dempsey was overturned following a score review. Geelong coach Chris Scott reacted angrily to the decision as the visitors’ hopes faded.
For Fremantle, the win marked a significant response after Hawthorn exposed them in the qualifying final. It also sent the Dockers into their first preliminary final since 2015, with Sydney now standing between them and a return to the premiership decider.
