WALYALUP standout Luke Jackson delivered a dominant ruck display to lead a crucial 49-point victory over Yartapuulti, as the Dockers overwhelmed the Power in the second half at a rainy Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory may come with some setbacks, as half-back Cooper Simpson sustained an AC joint injury, and captain Alex Pearce was involved in a collision with Power forward Darcy Byrne-Jones, an incident likely to be reviewed by the match officials.
The Dockers overcame a strong, high-pressure start from Yartapuulti, who flooded the inside 50s, keeping the score close early on. However, Walyalup found their rhythm after halftime to secure a 15.10 (100) to 7.9 (51) win.
Jackson continued to dominate in the ruck as the team’s key player, controlling stoppages with 38 hitouts and contributing on the ground with 21 disposals, eight clearances, six inside 50s, and an impressive goal.
His influence helped keep the midfield competitive in the first half, allowing Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw to avoid heavy opposition attention and become key contributors in the second half.
Serong was limited by Willem Drew in the first half but was exceptional after halftime, finishing with a team-best 29 disposals (18 contested) and 12 clearances.
Rookie forward Murphy Reid impressed in the forward line, kicking four goals and collecting 18 disposals, showcasing his full kicking range as he continues a strong debut season.
The win improves the ninth-placed Dockers’ record to 6-5 ahead of an away game against Gold Coast next Saturday, followed by a bye week and then three straight home matches at Optus Stadium that could be pivotal for their season against North Melbourne, Essendon, and St Kilda.
Meanwhile, the Power drop to 4-7 and sit 15th after another disappointing second half where they couldn’t match the Dockers’ intensity.
Yartapuulti adapted well to the wet conditions early, applying strong pressure and dominating field position in the first quarter by getting numbers to the contest.
After Simpson left the field early following a heavy collision with Logan Evans, the Dockers found themselves on the back foot, struggling to contain the in-form Power forward Mitch Georgiades, whose two quick goals put his team ahead by 10 points.
Despite limited chances, the skilled forward duo of Isaiah Dudley and Murphy Reid scored consecutive goals late in the quarter, giving the Dockers a three-point lead at the first break.
The Dockers’ backline faced intense pressure as the midfield battles favored Port, but they held strong while the team made the most of their fewer opportunities. Matt Johnson and Michael Frederick kicked impressive goals from front-half stoppages.
Tensions rose as the game heated up, particularly after Pearce and Byrne-Jones collided. Byrne-Jones was running toward the ball in flight, while Pearce aggressively contested and made high contact, sparking tempers.
There were minor scuffles, and the teams clashed again at halftime as they left the field with the Dockers leading by eight points.
The home team made their move in the third quarter, capitalizing on some poor discipline from the Power, who conceded two 50-meter penalties that directly led to goals from Sam Switkowski and then Pearce, part of a streak of four unanswered goals.
Reid kicked his third goal from the ground in the goalsquare after a precise pass from Dudley, while Jackson was rewarded for his hard work when he marked in the pocket following a contest with Dante Visentini and nailed an excellent set shot.
Pat Voss stretched the lead to 38 points early in the final quarter with a 50-meter set shot, and late goals from Dudley and Shai Bolton provided a fitting way for the Dockers to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round, as the club remains unbeaten as Walyalup.
Final Scores:
WALYALUP: 3.3 | 6.6 | 10.8 | 15.10 (100)
YARTAPUULTI: 3.1 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 7.9 (51)
Goal Scorers:
Walyalup: Reid 4, Dudley 2, Switkowski 2, Johnson, Frederick, Pearce, Jackson, Voss, Amiss, Bolton
Yartapuulti: Georgiades 3, Rioli 2, Finlayson, Bergman
Best Players:
Walyalup: Jackson, Reid, Serong, Chapman, Wagner, Clark
Yartapuulti: Wines, Rozee, Georgiades, Rioli, Atkins
Injuries:
Walyalup: Simpson (AC joint)
Yartapuulti: Byrne-Jones (concussion)
Substitutes:
Walyalup: Bailey Banfield (came on for Cooper Simpson in the first quarter)
Yartapuulti: Hugh Jackson (replaced Darcy
Byrne-Jones at halftime)
