Fremantle have extended their winning streak to a remarkable 14 games with a 51-point demolition of a woeful Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening. The Dockers kept the Suns to just three goals in a defensive masterclass that will ramp up pressure on coach Damien Hardwick.
Suns Struggle Offensively
The Suns were goalless at quarter-time and were sitting on just two until late in the final quarter when they finally got their third to avoid registering the second-lowest score in their history. Gold Coast, who were among the premiership favourites early in the season, have now lost five in a row and their finals hopes are hanging by a thread.
Analysts Criticize Gold Coast's Performance
West Coast premiership defender Will Schofield slammed the Suns for their “unwatchable” performance. “It’s not good enough,” he said on Fox Footy at three-quarter time. “What do they stand for, this Suns side? Two goals at three-quarter time; it’s borderline unwatchable, what they’re putting out. Contested game is fine, clearance game is fine, but now they can’t transition the footy. They need to be better than they have been. The pressure side they’ve been outplayed. I’ve just been totally disappointed by a side that’s come off three-straight losses and need to respond.”
Speaking after the match, Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy added: “They are miles off where they’d expect to be right now.”
Fremantle Stars Shine
Fremantle star Luke Jackson enhanced his claims for the No.1 ruck role in the All-Australian team with another standout performance, while Andrew Brayshaw was prolific through the midfield and Murphy Reid was classy as usual.
