Fremantle are the class team in the AFL right now while North Melbourne and their decision to sell home games to Bunbury and Perth should be thrown under the brightest of spotlights after the Dockers thrashed the Roos today.
The Roos kicked their last goal via George Wardlaw early in the second term as the Dockers piled on 19 consecutive goals to record their biggest ever winning margin, 124 points.
Tristan Xerri competes in a ruck contest with Luke Jackson.AFL Photos
Star ruckman Luke Jackson and a countless list of teammates shared the ball around and carved up North’s defence on a ground that was longer and wider than their usual home ground of Marvel Stadium. If a resurgent West Coast also knock off the Roos at Optus Stadium next week, this trip will have been a nightmare one for Alastair Clarkson and his men.
North will no doubt get millions of dollars to sell these games to WA, but what will the cost be to the belief of their players and to the club’s hopes of making the top 10? Would a finals berth be worth more than that? Surely it would, but on today’s performance it looks a long way away.
Dockers star Patrick Voss snapped the last goal of the match, capping off a strong display. The Dockers are the most serious of premiership contenders as they head for a bye next week. The Roos are a long, long way from that – about the distance between Bunbury and Melbourne.