Fremantle Dockers round 18 report card: Andrew Brayshaw and Jaeger O’Meara receive distinctions against Collingwood

But one 30-minute burst from the Magpies was enough to rip the result from the Dockers’ grasp.

Here is Fremantle’s Monday report card for round 18.

Distinctions

Jaeger O‘Meara: Has been a nice addition to Fremantle’s list without being the final piece of the puzzle. But in the absence of Caleb Serong, O’Meara stood up and was excellent against an elite AFL midfield. Won a game high 10 clearances and ticked over 30 disposals for the first time this season. Could this see Fremantle turn to O’Meara more frequently in the back half of the season? In the past month, he’s been used on average at just 49 per cent of centre bounces.

Andrew Brayshaw: Another to stand up in the absence of Serong. Was the highest rated Docker on the ground and his disposal efficiency sat above 70 per cent across 30 disposals.

His pressure was strong as always and he also got involved going forward for Fremantle. A strong midfield game and Brayshaw’s desire to command the ball is indicative of his leadership. But he has to watch that he’s in the best position to receive the footy.

Passes

Neil Erasmus: Ticked over the 20 disposal mark for the first time in his career and an impressive 13 of his 26 touches were contested. His appetite for the contest was a feature of his game, at one point putting himself in danger going back with the flight. Laid a massive 10 tackles as well. Has looked a little lost in the last couple of weeks but this was his most complete AFL performance, and against the table leaders mind you.

Josh Treacy: After four weeks without a goal, three was a mighty return against the Magpies. Has the potential to cause injury at every contest with the force he crashes packs. Took two towering contested marks and three inside 50 after being rewarded for his consistent leading patterns. He’s competitive and skilful enough to be a strong AFL forward. We just need to see outings like this more frequently.

Fails

That second quarter: Three out of four ain’t bad. But the one was deplorable. A 10 goal to two second quarter completely took Fremantle out of the game. The Dockers got smashed in the midfield, losing the centre clearances 8-3. And the Magpies punished even the slightest of Fremantle fumbles. As the pressure intensified, the Dockers skills and composure got worse. The midfield didn’t do enough to stem Collingwood’s ball movement and the backline couldn’t cope. At least the Dockers were able to reset and recover in the second half, even outscoring the Magpies after the main break. But the damage was done.

Jye Amiss: On a dirty day for Fremantle’s forwards, Amiss unfortunately went missing. He’s had such a promising season to date and in turn he’s set the bar incredibly high. So to walk away with just three touches and one goal, which was questionable on replay, was a disappointing effort. It was always going to be a battle against Collingwood’s seasoned defenders in the air but the likes of Darcy Moore and Nathan Murphy did as they pleased. When he fills out, that’ll become less of an issue for Amiss.

The focus this week

Some old and some new injury concerns are on the agenda for the week ahead.

The Dockers will get Caleb Serong back from suspension in a big boost for the midfield. Brennan Cox and Hayden Young are no certainties to return from ankle injuries. But Michael Frederick should be in line to return after missing against the Magpies with soreness.

Fremantle will be forced into changes regardless.

Small defender Brandon Walker is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in a marking contest. And Sean Darcy exited the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

When it rains it pours.

But Heath Chapman, Matt Taberner and Will Brodie could be passed fit ahead of an intriguing selection battle in the Dockers’ bid to avoid four straight losses against Sydney.