Anna Hay: Fremantle Dockers’ shock Essendon loss was the one that got away… I just hope their season isn’t
Fremantle’s one-point defeat to Essendon was a wasted opportunity.
The loss has seen them slide out of the top four with just three games of the regular season to go.
The four-points were theirs for the taking — all laid out on a silver platter.
With 14 minutes left on the clock in their clash with the Bombers, the Dockers were 25 points up. They just had to hold on.
But, within the space of six minutes, Essendon had snatched the lead.
Freo fans who thought they had some breathing room to grab a drink or duck to the loo, would’ve had quite the surprise when they returned.
The Dockers can’t afford to slip up in such a big way, when the race to finals is so tight.
This year’s sprint to September, feels familiar — well, in my mind anyway.
It has shades of the old fable my mum loved to read me before bed: ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’
Just a few weeks ago, the high-flying Swans were the hare.
So far out in front, they seemed a lock to finish on top of the AFL ladder. A spot in the Grand Final was theirs.
But it appears, just like the hare, they’ve fallen asleep by a rock — and the pack is edging closer every round — threatening to overtake.
Sydney has lost five of their past six games. On Saturday night they went down by 112 points to Port Adelaide.
The Swans are stalling … while Carlton is choking, losing four of their past five games. On the other hand, the teams hovering down the bottom of the eight — or just outside — are the tortoise.
They’ve been slow and steady all season and are now making moves.
The Dogs have won six of their last seven games, including victories over the Blues, the Cats, and the Swans.
Despite a loss, Hawthorn has still won eight of their last ten games. Fremantle is also in that category sitting in sixth on the ladder.
The premiership really is anyone’s for the taking and with Sydney and Carlton sleeping by the rock, 2024 could still be Freo’s year if they can be consistent from here.
I would hate for the Dockers to look back on the season and think of it as the one that got away.
They’ve got what it takes to beat the best.
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