Shai Bolton hits the heights at Perth Stadium with a Mark of the Year leading contender, as Fremantle overcomes the kicking yips to close in on Geelong.
In the second quarter Bolton leapt high for a contest on the wing, leveraging off teammate Patrick Voss and a Geelong defender to take a one-handed screamer that sent the home crowd crazy.
The Dockers have won a club-record 12 straight games, while the Cats will be without star midfielder Bailey Smith, who has been ruled out with illness.
Follow all the action in out live blog.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm
AFL Thursday ScoreboardThu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:18pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:18pmThu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:18pm
Dockers winning it in the middle
In that third term, the Dockers got it right in the middle of the ground. They won clearances 12-8, but the centre clearances were 9-1.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:13pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:13pm
3QT: Fremantle 13.11 (89) leads Geelong 11.4 (70)
I find it hard to credit the state of play, but at three quarter-time the Dockers lead by 19 points.
Another Jye Amiss goal in the final minute emphasised precisely who had the momentum right now.
The Dockers kicked 7.0 (seven straight!) to 2.2 in that term, to the point where the remorseless “Freo!” chant started up in the crowd, as the home fans realised their side has control of this one.
Jeremy Cameron looks VERY sore, and the Cats have lost their mojo, and no one can stop Luke Jackson right now.
There is still time for Geelong to kick four unanswered goals, but unless there is another fierce momentum swing, it doesn’t look likely right now.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:09pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:09pm
Now it’s Jeremy Cameron’s turn to miss
Geelong need the quick reply, and they get the ball to Jeremy Cameron inside 50.
He marks, and goes back – but he pulls the kick to the right, or starts it too far right.
It’s a point. The lead is 13 points.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:08pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:08pm
Jye Amiss extends Fremantle’s lead
The Dockers are on a tear here, and now it’s Jye Amiss who has marked from a clearance.
The kick is straight in front, 30m out – which so far tonight has been a frightening spot. But this time the kick is true, and the roar from the stands is huge.
The Dockers are 14 points to the good.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:06pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:06pm
Isaiah Dudley snaps a great goal for Fremantle
This game is not for anyone with blood pressure issues.
It’s tense, and intense, and every touch you’re worrying where it’s all going to go wrong.
The Dockers got the turnover there, and it was funnelled forward (not very scientifically) but it found Isaiah Dudley – and the Freo excitement machine who has hardly been sighted tonight – snapped it nearly post-high to float through for a vital goal!
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:00pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 10:00pm
Game on in Perth!
The Dockers have made Geelong pay there!
They went forward, the Cats had it inside 50, but the handball clear went straight to Neil Erasmus, and he chipped over the top to Josh Treacy, who marked next to the square.
The set shot was good, and the Dockers lead by two!
We’re entering time on in the third.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:58pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:58pm
Caleb Serong gets a vital goal for the Dockers
The Dockers’ stoppage game is usually strong, and they’ve shown it again there.
A forward 50 stoppage, Mason Cox got the tap, and Caleb Serong was there to snap a vital goal!
Freo are back within four points, more than halfway through the third term.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:55pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:55pm
Hayden Young off the ground
That’s a worry for the Dockers.
Hayden Young is tackled hard by Sam De Koning with both players going to ground, and it’s Young underneath – and he is in pain.
It seems to be his leg, and everyone is very concerned given his history. He makes his way off the ground, and as he goes he seems to be a little better than first feared.
Still, he’s off the ground. We’ll keep you informed.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:53pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:53pm
Oisin Mullin extends Geelong’s lead
Well that was a bit rough for Freo.
The ball was kicked to Oisin Mullin on the edge of the centre square, Andrew Brayshaw committed to the contest but was a bit late. He tried to pull out but collided with the Irishman.
Mullin got a 50m penalty, and he slotted the goal to extend the lead.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:49pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:49pm
Geelong hit back through Ollie Henry
That didn’t last long!
The Cats were stung by the early goals, and they went down the wing. Max Holmes hoisted it to the square, and Ollie Henry went up and took a fierce contested grab. He kicked the goal, and the Cats are back ahead.
And now THEY needed that!
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:47pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:47pm
Top three possession-getters
Andrew Brayshaw (FREM) – 20
Luke Jackson (FREM) – 19
Tanner Bruhn (GEEL) – 19
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:45pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:45pm
Fremantle hit the front!
This is fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants football from both sides!
The pressure is huge, and errors are devastating.
Geelong made the blue this time, and Fremantle pounced. The ball went to Erasmus in almost the same spot as the previous move.
This time he kept going, and kicked on the run from 40 – and it curled through beautifully!
Can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but Fremantle has come from 28 points down to lead the game at home!
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:42pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:42pm
Luke Jackson goal brings Fremantle within three points
It’s been a very scrappy opening to the second half, with plenty of errors and intercept possessions.
Finally the Dockers found Andrew Brayshaw for a mark in the middle (despite Patrick Dangerfield’s big hit). Brayshaw found Neil Erasmus on 50, he kicked deep and a bit wide, and Luke Jackson stood up and took a contested grab on the line.
He ran around and snapped his third – and Freo are back within three points!
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:33pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:33pm
HT stats
Inside 50s: 28-23 Fremantle
Clearances: 15-12 Geelong
Centre clearances: 10-6 Geelong
Contested possessions: 59-54 Fremantle
Uncontested possessions: 145-110 Fremantle
Marks Inside 50: 11-6 Fremantle
Tackles: 20-14 Fremantle
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:18pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:18pm
HT: Geelong 9.2 (56) leads Fremantle
It turns out there was time for one more attack, and Josh Treacy found a handball in space, the ball was kicked inside 50 and Luke Jackson took an easy mark.
And then the unicorn showed HE could convert a set shot!
The siren sounds and suddenly the Dockers are only nine points down at the half.
Geelong were in total control there for a while, and they led by as much as 28 points, but as the teams go in the home side are now right back in it.
All that action, and a Mark of the Year cracker from Shai Bolton. What more do you want?
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:15pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:15pm
Josh Treacy kicks a set shot goal for Fremantle!!
The old London buses line comes in here. Wait for a LONG time, get one and another turns up.
This time it’s Josh Treacy taking a mark on 50.
He’s kicking from beyond the arc, everyone can hardly watch.
But he kicks it from 50-plus! Two in a row for the Dockers, and the lead is back to 15 points, deep in time on.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:13pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:13pm
Patrick Voss finally gets one for the Dockers
Freo as we have said are their own worst enemy tonight.
Even Murphy Reid missed a shot a few minutes back, and that makes SEVEN behinds for the quarter.
But finally, Jye Amiss managed to bundle the ball home from the goal-line. That sound you hear is Dockers fans (and players and coaches) breathing a sigh of relief.
It went to the ARC, as Sam De Koning said he touched it, but it was confirmed. MUCH needed goal for Freo.
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:10pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:10pm
The moment Shai Bolton went vertical
Here it is! Shai Bolton would have to have a big say in the Mark of the Year, surely?
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:05pm
Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 9:05pm
George Stevens goal makes seven in a row for the Cats
This is going properly pear-shaped for Fremantle.
George Stevens has kicked a goal for Geelong, and the visitors have seven in a row.
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