Fremantle 17.13 (115) def. Port Adelaide 8.10 (58)
Unfortunately for Fremantle, today will be remembered for what happened with six minutes left on the clock.
It won’t be remembered for handing Port Adelaide a 57-point belting, or for moving two games clear of the three sides most likely to bump them from the top four.
Ryan Crowley’s superb five-goal second half won't stand out, either.
Because with six minutes left on the clock, Michael Barlow broke his leg as he entered a marking contest and collided with teammate Rhys Palmer.
Barlow, one of this year’s best stories, doesn’t look like he’ll play again in 2010. It could have a huge impact on Freo’s prospects.
The stunned Subiaco crowd, though silent, said it all.
The Dockers dominated the early stages, with Aaron Sandilands the source of many forays forward and Barlow continuing his fairytale season.
Port could only manage one goal for the first quarter, which came late, although they were cruelly denied of a second as the siren sounded while Brett Ebert was running in for what would have been a certain goal.
It was a sign of things to come as Port continued to work their way back into the game in the second quarter, cutting the margin to 10 by half time.
An upset was seemingly brewing at that point, with both Antoni Grover and Nat Fyfe succumbing to game-ending injuries. Garrick Ibbotson, Kepler Bradley, Hayden Ballantyne and Crowley also had injury troubles at various stages of the match.
However, Crowley’s efforts playing up forward drove a complete reversal of momentum. He booted the first three goals of the third quarter and added a further two as the Dockers put the game beyond doubt in the fourth quarter.
The bright sport for Port was the strong showing of fifth-gamer Mitch Banner, who backed up his reputation for being a ball magnet with 23 possessions.
Tom Logan led Port in possessions with 27, and Jay Shulz managed to bag two goals.
Meanwhile, Palmer had possibly his best game for Freo since returning from knee surgery, picking up 31 disposals.
However, in a sign of what the side have lost today, Barlow wasn’t far behind. He had 25 possessions, a goal and a real impact.
His injury will no doubt sour what was an otherwise successful afternoon for the Dockers.
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