Dockers too good for Bulldogs

Matthew Pavlich continued his magnificent form with six goals to help Fremantle to a 38-point win against the Western Bulldogs in a scrappy affair at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

The Dockers' inaccuracy held them to just a three-point half-time advantage, but they took control with the first five goals after the main break to eventually triumph 14.11 (95) to 8.9 (57).

Pavlich was at the forefront of a strong third-quarter display, that helped Fremantle break their two-game losing streak, booting three goals before finishing the match with 10 marks and 21 possessions.

The 30-year-old's effort helped the Dockers move level with four other teams from eighth to 12th spot on the ladder holding a 7-7 win-loss record, putting them in a strong position ahead of a friendly three-game stretch that sees them face Melbourne (away), GWS (home) and Port Adelaide (away).

But the Bulldogs' resilience prevented Ross Lyon's men from earning too big a percentage boost as they fought hard in defence to limit the damage despite a lop-sided 54-36 inside 50 count in Fremantle's favour.

The Dogs performed much better than they did in the two heavy losses that preceded the game, led by Matthew Boyd (35 possessions), but it was not enough to earn a win that would have reinvigorated their all-but-extinguished finals hopes.

Pavlich, who now has 20 goals from his past four games, was helped up forward by Chris Mayne's four majors while Clancee Pearce (23 disposals and seven clearances) carried the load in midfield as Stephen Hill, Michael Barlow and David Mundy endured quiet games.

The Dockers had the ball locked in their front half for most of the opening quarter, but it came with little reward as the Bulldogs limited their forward thrusts by successfully employing an extra man in defence.

While Mayne booted a set shot after the siren to put the hosts seven points up at the first change, it did not give the Dockers any momentum for the next term and they continued to struggle to build scoreboard pressure despite dominating the inside 50s 28-16 in the first half.

They missed three golden opportunities in the second quarter and the Bulldogs took advantage to take their first lead just before half-time, but Pavlich steadied to put Fremantle back ahead.

And the veteran was at his inspirational best early in the third, kicking three goals in just 15 minutes to help the Dockers build a 33-point lead late in the quarter.

The visitors fought back to cut that deficit to 22 when Tory Dickson kicked truly after the three-quarter-time siren and they had several promising forward thrusts early in the final term, but could not build the momentum necessary to challenge Fremantle's lead.

FREMANTLE: 2.3, 4.7, 10.10, 14.11 (95)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.2, 4.4, 7.6, 8.9 (57)

GOALS: FREMANTLE: Pavlich 6, Mayne 4, Broughton, Crowley, Lower, Hill
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Dickson 3, Dahlhaus 2, Griffen, Higgins, Minson
BEST: FREMANTLE: Pavlich, Mayne, Pearce, Crowley, Lower, Ballantyne
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Boyd, Higgins, Dickson, Lake, Picken, Wallis
INJURIES: FREMANTLE: Grover (concussion)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
SUBS: FREMANTLE: Paul Duffield replaced Antoni Grover (3rd Qtr)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jason Tutt replaced Tom Campbell (3rd Qtr)
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Fila, Nicholls, Hay
CROWD: 30,420 at Patersons Stadium