Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has revealed some Dockers players were in doubt to feature in Friday night’s 48-point loss to Sydney following the sudden death of former Docker Cam McCarthy.
McCarthy died at the age of 29 on Thursday night, with Fremantle players left rocked when the news broke on Friday.
A tribute to McCarthy was held before Friday night’s match, with veterans such as Nat Fyfe, Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce fighting back tears as they remembered their former teammate.
Both Sydney and Fremantle players wore black armbands in memory of McCarthy, who played 49 matches for the Dockers between 2017-2020 after starting his career at GWS.
After the match, Fyfe and Pearce laid down flowers in the goal square in memory of McCarthy.
In the hours leading up to the match, Fremantle made a change to its emergencies list by adding key defender Hugh Davies as defensive cover.
Davies was not required in the end, but Longmuir revealed the move to add him to the emergency list was made due to the prospect of players pulling out of the match in the wake of McCarthy’s death.
“We had players that were very close not playing, so I’m proud of the way they went out and competed in difficult circumstances,” Longmuir said after the 13.9 (87) to 4.15 (39) loss.
“Some of our players have known Cam for a long period of time and continued those relationships post him playing for us.
“(Football boss) Joe Brierty did a great job getting around those who we knew were close to Cam, visiting those guys and making sure that they felt safe to make a call whether they wanted to play or not.
“I’m really proud of the way the club came together, put our arms around those who are hurting and I was really proud of those players for going out there and competing the way they did.”
Longmuir said it was important for the player group to remain united and connected while they mourn McCarthy’s passing.
“We need to make sure we do things together,” Longmuir said.
“Make sure we keep checking in on each other, make sure that the players that are affected have got the multiple avenues that they feel comfortable with and can go to.
“This is why you play team sports … so you can go through the tough times together and you’ve got people to lean on, and that’s what trademark and connection is all about.
“So we need to stand true in these difficult moments.”
Former Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich said McCarthy’s death would’ve been “incredibly challenging” for his former teammates to deal with.
“I think it would’ve been incredibly challenging, particularly for those close to Cam. For those players it would’ve been particularly hard,” he said on Fox Footy’s coverage.
“When your leaders of the club have that toll on them, that can permeate through the group.
“But in terms of effort, their effort was strong all night.”
Seemingly buoyed by the stirring pre-match scenes, Fremantle came out of the gates hard, but were made to pay for some woeful kicking in front of goal throughout the contest.
Fremantle’s goalkicking issues were made worse by Sydney being ruthless at the other end of the ground.
The Swans booted 10 straight goals to start the match before registering their first behind in the third quarter. At one stage in the second half, Sydney’s score of 10.1 was mirrored by Fremantle’s 1.10.
Brownlow Medal favourite Isaac Heeney continued his strong start to the season with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Will Hayward kicked four goals for the Swans.
Sydney’s win over Fremantle allowed it to move four points clear at the top of the ladder after Geelong was upset at Kardinia Park by Port Adelaide earlier on Friday night.
The Cats fell behind by as many as 49 points before mounting a furious second-half comeback, but Port was able to hold on for a six-point win.
It was Port Adelaide’s first win in Geelong since Round 21, 2007, the year the two teams faced off in the grand final.
In the absence of injured skipper Connor Rozee, Port’s midfield trio of Ollie Wines (33 disposals, nine clearances), Zak Butters (34 disposals, seven clearances), and Jason Horne-Francis (26 disposals, seven clearances) stood tall.
Playing in a record-equalling 355th career match for the Cats, Tom Hawkins was held to a goal in another quiet outing for the veteran forward.
AAP/ABC
Look back on how all the action from Friday’s AFL double-header unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
AFL Friday scoreboard
Another night in the books!
That’s going to be it from us for tonight folks!
Hope you enjoyed the coverage of the double-header once again. Make sure you join us tomorrow afternoon as we bring you all the action from the AFL’s Super Saturday.
Sydney 13.9 (87) def Fremantle 4.15 (39)
A wayward Fremantle have produced a Friday night flop, ending an emotion-filled day with a 48-point AFL loss to Sydney at Optus Stadium.
Will Hayward kicked four goals and Isaac Heeney tallied 28 disposals and eight clearances as Sydney soared a game clear on top of the ladder with the 13.9 (87) to 4.15 (39) win.
Fremantle players were left devastated when news of Cam McCarthy’s death at the age of 29 broke on Friday morning.
A total of 11 Dockers players who took to the field on Friday night were former teammates of McCarthy, who played 49 games for the Dockers between 2017-2020.
Fremantle veterans Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce had tears in their eyes as both teams paid tribute to McCarthy in an emotional moment before the match in front of 46,198 fans.
When play got underway, Fremantle were their own worst enemies with fluffed shots on goal and horror turnovers.
The halftime scoreboard told the story of the contest – Sydney kicking 9.0 (54) to Fremantle’s 1.8 (14).
Seven of Sydney’s nine first-half goals came from Fremantle turnovers, including five in a horror second term for the Dockers.
Fremantle’s goalkicking was simply horrible.
Patrick Voss missed the opening two shots of the game, while Jye Amiss sprayed a set shot and kicked another snap out of bounds.
Fyfe’s shot on the run faded, while Luke Jackson and Andrew Brayshaw were also off target.
In contrast, Sydney made the most of their opportunities, with Chad Warner, Will Hayward and Joel Amartey kicking two goals each in the first half to give the visitors a 40-point lead at the major break.
Sydney’s tackling was a feature, with Fyfe caught holding the ball three times in the first quarter alone.
The Swans’ first miss of the match didn’t arrive until the four-minute mark of the third quarter, when Hayward’s 50m set shot faded.
But the damage had already been well and truly done by that stage, with Fremantle’s 1.5 in the third quarter further hampering their cause.
Amiss had been in the headlines all week after Dockers coach Justin Longmuir expressed his disgust at the illegal treatment the spearhead had been receiving this season.
The 20-year-old barely got a sniff all night against the Swans, finishing with 0.1 from six disposals.
Sydney also unlocked a tactic that other teams will no doubt follow – tagging defender Jordan Clark.
James Jordon did an excellent shutdown role on the rebounding defender, limiting Clark to 16 disposals.
Clark’s turnover in the second quarter also led to a Sydney goal.
Sydney’s Nick Blakey could be in doubt for next week’s blockbuster clash with Carlton after an accidental clash of heads with a teammate in the final term.
Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong racked up 25 disposals in the first half before finishing with 34 possessions and three clearances.
Sydney midfielder Chad Warner kicked two goals from 23 disposals.
More from Pavlich on a heavy night for Fremantle
Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich with some more commentary on the loss of Cam McCarthy.
“I think it would’ve been incredibly challenging, particularly for those close to Cam. For those players it would’ve been particularly hard,” he says.
“When your leaders of the club have that toll on them, that can permeate through the group.
“But in terms of effort, their effort was strong all night.”
Lovely post-game gesture from heartbroken Dockers
Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe were overcome with emotion before the game, and they look absolutely devastated at the final siren.
The pair lays some flowers in the goal square in memory of Cam McCarthy, as Pearce touches his black armband and looks to the heavens.
Emotional stuff here in Perth.
FT: Swans wrap up massive win over wasteful Dockers
Sydney continued on its merry way in 2024 with a commanding win over the Dockers!
It was an emotional night for Fremantle, whose players tried their absolute guts out, but in the end they couldn’t overcome a night of woeful kicking.
Both teams looked absolutely spent in that final quarter.
The Swans now sit a game clear at the top of the ladder after Geelong’s loss earlier tonight.
Blakey headed for concussion test
Nick Blakey remained on the field for a few minutes after that head-clash but now he’s off.
Swans erring on the side of caution. Highly doubt we see Blakey back on the ground, even if he passes that concussion test, given there’s just over six minutes remaining.
Impact of McCarthy tragedy on Freo players
Former Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has discussed whether Cam McCarthy’s passing impacted this result.
“They actually handled the emotion of it well, they just haven’t been able to execute,” he says.
“Maybe they were too amped up. Sometimes you can’t execute because you’re trying too hard.”
Two in two minutes for Sharp as friendly fire rocks Blakey
Jeremy Sharp with another one!
This one is from a similar distance, but a tighter angle and he’s up and about.
Surely there’s not enough time for a Freo comeback, right?
Meanwhile, Nick Blakey had a bit of a head clash with his own teammate Matt Roberts and was briefly shaken up, but he remains on the ground.
Sharp with a consolation goal for Freo
Where has this kicking been all night?
Jeremy Sharp unleashes a bomb from just inside the 50m arc off one step and drills it!
That goal came after Will Hayward had kicked his fourth to put the Swans 57 points ahead.
Margin getting ‘ugly’ as Swans add another one
A 50m penalty against Hayden Young in the middle of the ground draws Ollie Florent within scoring distance, and he makes no mistake on the set shot.
Swans out to a 51-point lead and the body language doesn’t look great out there from Freo.
“It could get ugly because you can feel the gas has just gone out of Freo,” says Pavlich on commentary for Fox Footy.
Rampe off as Swans activate sub
Sydney has taken Dane Rampe off, with Robbie Fox activated as the tactical sub.
No injury for Rampe, just some load management.
The yips impacting Swans as well now
After being so accurate, the Swans have missed a few of their own opportunities.
Will Hayward missing a very gettable set shot, while James Jordon missed one from close in a little while earlier.
Meanwhile, Tom Papley kicks an attempted snap from close in out on the full.
This match is just petering out now, to be totally honest.
13 minutes left.
3QT: Swans in firm control as Dockers continue to spray shots
Sydney holding a 43-point lead at the final change.
The Dockers have misfired in front of goal all night, and it’s cost them dearly.
Sydney’s pressure has been brilliant around the ground and they’ve been clinical in front of goal, and that’s been the game.
Fremantle has had its chances, but hasn’t capitalised.
Michael Frederick has been subbed off by the Dockers, with Michael Walters coming on.
Port Adelaide 15.11. (101) def Geelong 14.11 (95)
Port Adelaide has withstood a crazy second-half fightback to hang on for a thrilling six-point away win over Geelong, spoiling Tom Hawkins’ record-equalling 355th appearance for the Cats.
The Power shocked their hosts with eight first-quarter goals in a stunning early blitz to lay the platform for their 15.11 (101) to 14.11 (95) triumph on Friday night at Kardinia Park.
They led by as much as 49 points during the second quarter before Geelong mounted a serious response, cutting the margin back to one straight kick late in the final term.
There was last-gasp drama as Jeremy Cameron was denied a goal on the line when play was called back for a free kick to Ollie Henry, who snapped a behind from the pocket.
It was the final score of the game as undermanned Port – missing skipper Connor Rozee among four injury-enforced changes – held on for their first win at Kardinia Park since 2007.
The result gave the Power a 6-3 record ahead of a home clash with Hawthorn next week, while Geelong (7-2) have lost successive games after opening the campaign with seven straight wins.
Willie Rioli equalled his career-best haul with four goals for Port as Ollie Wines (33 disposals, nine clearances) and acting captain Zak Butters (34, seven) stood up in Rozee’s absence.
Jason Horne-Francis (26 touches, seven clearances) was best afield in the first half before Geelong substitute Oisin Mullin quelled his influence after the main break.
Former Geelong defender Esava Ratugolea held ex-teammate Hawkins to just seven touches as the veteran forward matched Joel Selwood’s games record for the Cats.
Hawkins ended his unprecedented four-match goal drought with a second-quarter major but put another set shot out on the full.
Defender Zach Guthrie (24 disposals), Tyson Stengle (four goals) and roaming forward Cameron (18 touches, one goal) were among the Cats’ best.
Geelong gave up a 25-point head-start in the opening nine minutes and conceded the highest first-quarter score to a visiting team at Kardinia Park since 1983, trailing 8.2 to 3.3 at the first break.
The Power added the first three goals of the second term before desperate Cats coach Chris Scott replaced ruckman Rhys Stanley with Mullin.
Hawkins and Gryan Miers booted successive goals to temporarily stem the tide but Butters’ superb snap helped Port to a 41-point lead at the main break.
The Cats kicked six goals to two in the third term, with defender Guthrie taking advantage of twin 50m penalties against Rioli to kick a rare major.
Gary Rohan pulled down a spectacular grab with a ride on Ratugolea’s back in the final term and Stengle’s fourth major cut the deficit to seven points before Henry missed with the last shot of the game.
Dockers baffled by goalpost again
That right hand goal post at one end of the ground is causing havoc for Fremantle.
Like Josh Treacy earlier in the quarter, Patrick Voss thinks he’s drilled a set shot, and even rips out a big celebration, only for the goal umpire to call a behind.
Interestingly, because it’s a behind, it’s not automatically reviewed like the goals are.
Meanwhile, Michael Frederick hits the post from directly in front and the Dockers are now 2.13 in front of goal. That’s not going to win you many matches.
A thrilling last two minutes in Geelong
If you missed the action live, here’s how the final two minutes wound up at Kardinia Park.
Cohuna breaks Fremantle’s drought
Fremantle finally has its second goal of the night!
Josh Treacy, aka the Big Cohuna, thought he’d goaled a few minutes earlier, but this time he slots it through the middle.
Can the Dockers get a run on now? Sydney are excellent frontrunners, so it won’t be easy by any means.
Hayward blots Sydney’s copybook
Bronx cheers go up around Perth Stadium as Will Hayward kicks Sydney’s first behind of the evening.
The miss comes after an early Tom Papley goal in the third quarter made it 10 straight majors for the Swans.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Fremantle has kicked 1.10.
Sydney’s lead 45 points now.
FT: Port holds off Geelong in thrilling finish
Port Adelaide has done it! Wow, what a contest that was!
Ken Hinkley holds his arms aloft like he’s won the premiership at his old home.
Port Adelaide winds up six-point winners after almost blowing a 49-point lead.
The Power have their first win at Kardinia Park since Round 21, 2007. These two sides met in the grand final that year, will history repeat itself?
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