All Stars Class as Dockers Stunned to Start 2025
In front of 37 thousand people, the Indigenous All Stars returned for the first time in 10 years. In a fitting script, the All Stars also returned to the winners list on Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium, defeating a Fremantle side 16.12.108 to 9.11.65.
Dominate first and third quarters saw the Dockers down by three goals at the first break, before being down by five at the last. Fremantle were outscored 10 goals to two when the All stars kicked toward the left of screen.
Bobby Hill needed less then two minutes to open the majors column. A Dockers’ mistake allowed Jeremy Finlayson to pounce on the loose football at half forward, he collected and quickly gave the ball to the 2023 Norm Smith Medalist.
From there, Hill needed little invitation, he turned and snapped, the ball going through the middle as Hill offered a celebration worthy of the occasion.
Jason Horne-Francis, (17 disposals, three goals and four clearances) and Bobby Hill, (four goals) combined well in the first quarter to set the tone early.
Shai Bolton excited early in a positive sign for both sets of fans as he set up a Horne-Francis’ first goal, while Michael Walters, Hill, (again), and Tyson Stengle added a world of hurt onto the scoreboard.
In the second quarter, Caleb Serong, (27 disposals and four clearances) and Jeremy Sharp, (18 disposals and four clearances) fought back for the West Australian side.
The Dockers started to move the ball with more pace, and were cleaner as their faint pulse turned into a foothold at half time.
However, anytime the Dockers got close, the Indigenous All Stars then found another gear. Jy Simpkin caught Neil Erasmus in two minds, and through came Kosi Pickett. The South Australian came running through and with one motion, grabbed the footy and snapped it through the goal as the main break beckoned.
Then the wall broke in the third quarter.
Jy Simpkin kicked the first of the quarter and was emotional as he came to the bench, this emotion seemed to spur him on. Simpkin would finish with 30 disposals, ten clearances and a goal.
From there, the pace on the footy when the Indigenous All Stars were in full flight was frightening. Horne Francis and Bobby Hill were rewarded with another two goals each, as Fremantle were outclassed and outgunned, and watched as the All Stars did as they pleased.
Even with the game wrapped up heading into the last, the Indigenous All Stars didn’t take their foot of the Fremantle throat.
Goals to Jesse Motlop, Liam Ryan, Willie Rioli, and Tim Kelly stretch the final lead to 43 points, as Izak Rankine and Lawson Humphries helped share the load as just about everyone in yellow got involved in some way.
Jy Simpkin’s incredible display would see him win the Polly Farmer Medal.
In other news coming out of the AFL world, an NGA clash played between Fremantle and West Coast saw the Eagles win out 11.8.74 to 4.14.38 in the early afternoon at Optus Stadium.
Meantime, on the east coast, Essendon defeated the Western Bulldogs, led by potential SSP signing Tom Edwards who kicked four goals.
All Stars: 5.2 7.5 12.8 16.12.108
Dockers: 2.3 5.5 7.8 9.11.65
Goalkickers:
All Stars:
Bobby Hill, (4), J. Horne-Francis, (3), C. Cameron, T. Kelly, J. Motlop, K. Pickett, W. Rioli, L. Ryan, J. Simpkin, T. Stengle, M. Walters
Dockers:
M. Frederick, (3), J. Amiss, (2), L. Jackson, (2), J. Sharp, (2)
Best:
All Stars:
Bobby Hill, J. Horne-Francis, J. Simpkin
Dockers:
A. Brayshaw, M. Frederick, C. Serong