Oops, Freo Have Done It Again

Fremantle's horror season has continued this afternoon after they lost to Carlton at Telstra Dome after leading again at three-quarter time.

The Blues overcame a 3 point three-quarter time deficit to defeat the Dockers 14.13 (97) to 14.4 (88).

The result means Carlton move to tenth on the ladder whilst Fremantle have now lost six matches consecutively and four of those have been on the trot after leading at the final break, a record which hasn't been seen since the St Kilda side of 1940.

Fremantle's loss will be all the more devastating after they had fought back from a three goal deficit in the third term to lead by ten points during the final quarter, only to be overrun again by their opposition.

Dockers' skipper Matthew Pavlich goaled early in the final term to give his side their ten point advantage, but Carlton replied through Andrew Carrazzo before Nick Stevens put the Blues ahead.

Pavlich, who during the week was vocal about the fact his side were not chokers, then had the chance to regain the lead for Fremantle with a simple set shot from 20 metres only for his kick to hit the post. Minutes later Pavlich again had a chance for the Dockers when he attempted a tough snap on goal when perhaps he had better options in field.

Carlton soon made the Dockers pay when Darren Pfeiffer sealed the victory whe he goaled miraculously from the pocket late in the match.

The match see-sawed throughout although it could be argued Carlton deserved the four points as their midfield were the more impressive despite Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands' dominance of the hit-outs. The Blues lead at the first two breaks of the game with Nick Stevens everywhere and Adam Bentick on top of Dockers' youngster Rhys Palmer.

Fremantle though, were dangerous in attack with Pavlich (4 goals) and Chris Tarrant (3 goals) proving too difficult for the Blues makeshift key defenders, who were without fullback Bret Thornton after he was a late withdrawal for the eventual match-winner Pfeiffer.

The Dockers stormed back into the contest in the third term with four consecutive goals as they took the lead for the first time since the 22-minute mark of the opening quarter.

Unfortunately for the visitors though, their poor final quarter record proved their undoing again as Carlton kicked three goals to one in the last to win a thriller.

Carlton 4.3 7.7 11.10 14.13.97
Fremantle 3.1 7.11 13.1 14.4.88
Carlton goals; Fisher 2, Betts 2, Scotland 2
best; Stevens, Bentick, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Fisher
Fremantle goals; Pavlich 4, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2
best; Pavlich, Ibbotson, Grover, Palmer
at Telstra Dome