SPEARHEAD Cam McCarthy snared a Fremantle-best four goals as the Dockers notched a morale-boosting 23-point victory over injury-ravaged Gold Coast on Saturday night.

There wasn't much to play for in terms of ladder position for two outfits destined to miss finals, but there were encouraging signs – particularly for the Dockers in the 12.18 (90) to 10.7 (67) triumph.

McCarthy's haul led Fremantle to its highest score since round seven, while at the other end first-year half-back Luke Ryan intercepted everything, Lachie Neale (32 disposals, one goal) strengthened his Doig Medal claims and superstar skipper Nat Fyfe continued his resurgence.

Full match details and stats

Gold Coast star Gary Ablett returned and racked up 33 disposals, Pearce Hanley (24, one goal) tried his heart out, while twin towers Tom Lynch and Peter Wright both slotted three goals, but it wasn't enough to seriously threaten a rare victory in Perth.

The Suns came into the clash battered and bruised – and their cause wasn't helped by losing David Swallow (tight groin) pre-game or Aaron Hall (hamstring) in the second term – but the result will still pile more pressure on under-siege coach Rodney Eade. 

Gold Coast had patches of decent football but not enough to challenge the Dockers, who snapped a four-game losing streak at home and registered just their second victory in 10 matches.

"It's always good to have a win and sing the song. It's been a while since we've been able to do that, but we've been in a lot of tight, competitive games, so we feel like we're improving," coach Ross Lyon said.

"They've got their challenges as we have and they're rebooting in a real sense if you think about it with (Jaeger) O'Meara gone, (Andrew) Swallow rebooting his career and (Harley) Bennell gone and a few of those guys.

"So they're not dissimilar (to us) and they've got some injuries. It was nice to get it done tonight and the way we played was quite strong."


The Suns are staring at another bottom-four finish after slumping to their seventh loss from eight matches – and their ninth from 10 games in Perth. 

Gold Coast made the running early on Saturday night, putting two goals on the board before most of the 27,050 crowd had found their seats.

Five talking points: Fremantle v Gold Coast

Wright and Lynch had the Dockers defenders working overtime – with courageous backman Ryan feeling the brunt of a Lynch knee to the ribs in the early going.

However, Fremantle soon found a groove and some bite through spearhead McCarthy, whose second goal hauled the men in purple to within a point at quarter-time.

It was the first of five unanswered majors for the Dockers, who streaked ahead by 25 points on the stroke of half-time and had Gold Coast's measure thereafter.

The Dockers had their chances to blow the game open but, to their credit, the visitors kept fighting and the young Suns dominated contested ball (146-109) in a sign of their effort.

They closed to within nine points in the third stanza, but a steadier from Hayden Ballantyne and McCarthy's fourth out of mid-air snuffed out any danger.

GAME BREAKER: McCarthy proves a force up forward

"Stats aren't everything but when you are winning the contested possession by 37 it shows a real intent," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.

"I think it shows the effort the players are putting in.

"It was galling the other way, the kicking disposal differential where we went at 57 per cent.

"That's the thing that hurt us."

McCarthy's haul ended a relative dry spell in front of goals – it was only the second time in 10 games he has kicked multiple majors - and was one shy of his career-best against the Suns when he was playing for GWS in 2015.

Ryan clung onto nine intercept marks in another assured display and tallied 28 touches, while Fyfe's (29 disposals, 10 marks) aerial prowess has returned in a sign he is getting back to his best.

Mitch Hallahan picked up 25 touches in his first game for the Suns this season, while journeymen Daniel Currie (37 hit-outs) and Jon Griffin (34) fought out a draw in the ruck.

Freo's eighth win for the year – double their tally from last year - came at a cost, with tenacious small forward Brady Grey suffering a hamstring injury that could end his season with only three rounds to go.

MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: Brady Grey has a standard hamstring and is facing about three weeks on the sidelines. 
Gold Coast: Aaron Hall damaged a hamstring in the second quarter and his season could also be over.

NEXT UP
The Dockers head to the SCG for a daunting assignment against the competition's form team, Sydney, while the Suns will travel to the 'Gabba for the Q-Clash against the improving Brisbane Lions.



FREMANTLE     3.5   7.8  11.12  12.18 (90)
GOLD COAST    4.0   5.4    8.7   10.7 (67) 

GOALS
Fremantle: McCarthy 4, Kersten 2, Crozier, S.Hill, Mundy, Griffin, Ballantyne, Neale
Gold Coast: Wright 3, Lynch 3, Sexton 2, MacPherson, Hanley 

BEST 
Fremantle: Neale, Ryan, B.Hill, Fyfe, S.Hill, McCarthy
Gold Coast: Hanley, Lynch, Wright, Ablett, Rosa, Miller 

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Grey (hamstring)
Gold Coast: David Swallow (groin) replaced in selected side by Jarrad Grant. Hall (hamstring) 

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Glouftsis

Official crowd:  27,050 at Domain Stadium