Andrew Brayshaw celebrates during Round 16 between Fremantle and Gold Kop at Optus Stadium on June 28, 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
FREMANTLE sent Gold Coastโs season into a tailspin 10 months after the classic knockout final between the clubs, thrashing the Suns by 51 points at Optus Stadium on Sunday and extending its own impressive winning streak.
The Dockers controlled the game from start to finish with a 14th win in a row, using frantic pressure, organized defending and deft handball to win 11.14 (80) to 3.11 (29) and open a two-game break at the top of the table.
DOCKERS V SUNS Full information and match statistics
In their first clash against the Suns since last yearโs heartbreaking finals exit, they highlighted the growing gap between the two sides this season by holding Damien Hardwickโs men to their lowest ever score against Freo and fourth-lowest ever.
It was a strong performance from the disciplined and dedicated Dockers, marred only by some loose kicking, and the final lead flattered the Suns, who have now lost five games in a row and dropped to 11th in the standings in a season that promised so much.
The Dockers led by 20 points at the main break but turned the screws in the second half, scoring seven goals to two as star big man Luke Jackson cemented his Brownlow Medal credentials with a stunning performance, kicking and scoring from the ruck.
Star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw (29 disposals, eight inside 50s and a goal) was the standout performer, while sophomore Murphy Reid stunned with 28 touches and seven assists.
The Dockers controlled possession but still outshot the Suns 66-45, their stout defense led by Alex Pearce proving impenetrable and their tall forwards dominating the air with a huge 17 points at 50 to four.
However, it was half-forward Michael Frederick who did the most damage, kicking a career-high equal four goals, Pat Voss and Jackson each scored two, and sportsman Sean Darcy returned to the team with one.
The under-fire Suns midfield was on paper able to win a gritty battle, 36-24, but it came to nothing for last yearโs semi-finalists, who looked devoid of confidence and often frustrated.
Key defender Sam Collins battled superbly with Jai Amis while captain Noah Anderson (32 and eight clearances) won plenty of ball and Jed Walter kicked two second-half goals.
Fremantleโs physicality was a hallmark early on, with the Dockers intimidating their opponents during the first quarter duel by applying significant pressure before cutting through the lineout with quick handball chains.
The Suns looked stunned as Frederic scored the gameโs first three goals as the visitors went goalless for the first time this season and trailed by 26 points early.
The second quarter was an arm-wrestle as the rain began to fall, with Gold Coast holding better in defense and in the nick but failing to capitalize with the only goal of the period as the Dockers squandered opportunities.
Freoโs ability to dominate inside 50 in the first half (31-17) suggested the game would open up in the second half if the Dockers persisted, but the Suns could point to their own clearance superiority (23-10) to suggest they would find a way to control conditions.
As it turned out, Gold Coast won the first two clearances of the third quarter, with Fremantle scoring the first two goals, with Jackson and Voss converting long set-pieces to open a 31-point break.
Frederickโs fourth goal epitomized the Dockersโ performance as their pressure on the Suns opened the window for OโDriscoll to intercept the ball in midfield, handing the ball to Brayshaw, who then fired a long shot inside Frederickโs 50.
Darcyโs comeback was capped by a goal late in the quarter, extending the margin to 40 points and leaving the Sunsโ season in the balance as they fall further out of contention at 7-8.
Only a late goal from Walter prevented Gold Coast from scoring their lowest number of goals in a game.
Big Man Moment Shows Freoโs Value
Ruckman Sean Darcyโs popularity in Fremantle was evident when the big man won an attacking free-kick in the third quarter and converted his set-piece as teammates came running from all over the field to celebrate. A midfield barometer thanks to the Dockersโ rise in recent years, Darcy has spent much of this season on the sidelines with a calf injury and has been forced to earn his place through three games in the WAFL. Things have changed for Freo in his absence, but he managed to fit in well with Luke Jacksonโs top line on Sunday, playing 59 per cent of the game time and moving between the ruck and forward line, making 20 hits and kicking a goal. Jackson was released at times to lead the way himself, taking three points from 50 and kicking two goals, and the ruck-fighting partnership gained momentum.
The power couple is missing
The combination of star recruit Christian Petracca and young bull Bailey Humphrey should help take the Suns to the next level in 2026, and Petracca has no doubt played some excellent football in his first year on the Gold Coast. But when the game was on the line Sunday in the third quarter, the dynamic pair combined for just three disposals. Petracca spent a lot of time forward while Humphrey struggled to intervene wherever he was, despite struggling to apply pressure when Freo had the ball. Hardwick admitted contract speculation could be contributing to the talented youngsterโs form issues. The Suns need to find a way to get the best out of the 21-year-old after another quiet game with six strikeouts and no clearances.
Bailey Humphrey during Round 16 between Fremantle and Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on June 28, 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
FREMANTLE 4.4 4.7 8.12 11.14 (80)
GOLD COAST 0.2 1.5 2.8 3.11 (29)
GOALS
Fremantle: Frederick 4, Jackson 2, Voss 2, Amiss, Brayshaw, Darcy
Gold Coast: Walter 2, King
BEST
Fremantle: Reid, Brayshaw, Jackson, Frederick, Ryan, Cox, Bolton
Gold Coast: Collins, Walter, Anderson, Lombard
INJURIES
Fremantle: zero
Gold Coast: zero
Crowd: 50,602 at Optus Stadium