Nathan Fyfe overcame a minor injury scare against the Western Bulldogs in Mandurah.
There was nothing pretty about Fremantle's 109-point win over the Western Bulldogs in Mandurah on Saturday, as a near full-strength Dockers easily accounted for an inexperienced Dogs side missing as many as half of their best 22.
Fremantle increased its margin in each quarter and eventually won 0.23.8 (146) to 5.7 (37).
Both sides were able to run as many rotations as they wanted, with the AFL deciding to impose its heat policy on the game, doing away with substitutes and interchange caps, plus allowing six players on each bench.
The fact there were no injury concerns was a bonus for both sides.
But for the Western Bulldogs, little came from the contest to suggest that early questions about the club's player depth this season are unwarranted.
They lacked any presence in attack and the Dockers forwards were able to find way too much room.
Matthew Pavlich got away from Jordan Roughead several times in the first quarter and with some precision delivery, especially from former Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce, managed 2.2 for the opening term.
It was the Dockers' skipper's first NAB Cup hit-out and Roughead was able to restrict him to four goals out of the 23 kicked by Fremantle.
Chris Mayne became a headache for the Dogs in the second quarter though and he kicked two goals in two minutes to start a seven-minute period where the Dockers booted five majors to set up a commanding 52-point half-time lead.
At the start of the third term, it was Michael Walters who became the headache for the Dogs. He kicked two goals in two minutes to snuff out any remarkable comeback that Adam Cooney may have sparked by his opening goal of the second half. Walters finished with four.
Former West Coast Eagle Koby Stevens was the shining light for the Dogs, as he produced some much needed run and picked up 23 possessions.
Luke Dalhaus often found some room too, especially in the forward half, through some hard running and in kicking 1.2 looked the most dangerous forward for the Dogs.
The Dockers start the season proper one week earlier than the Dogs, with a western derby clash with West Coast on March 23. They would be a lot more confident of a bold showing after yesterday's performance than they were after being flogged by Carlton by 70 points a week earlier in Melbourne.
Nat Fyfe was one of the disappointments against the Blues collecting just 10 possessions. But he was back to his best against the Dogs, with 30 touches, including 16 in the first half.
The Dogs don't start their campaign until March 30 when they host the Brisbane Lions.
Fremantle 0.5.2 0.11.3 0.17.6 0.23.8 (146)
Bulldogs 0.2.3 0.2.5 0.4.5 0.5.7 (109)
Goals
Fremantle: Walters 4; Pavlich, de Boer, Mayne 3; Ballantyne, Crozier 2; Suban, Duffield, Griffin, Neale, Hill, Mzungu.
Bulldogs: Austin, Cooney, Dalhaus, Dickson, Cordy.
Best
Fremantle: Fyfe, Mundy, Pearce, Hill, Mayne, de Boer.
Bulldogs: Stevens, Smith, Cooney, Dalhaus, Lower.
