Fremantle Dockers fall to shock defeat at MCG as Kysaiah Pickett kicks five for Melbourne

Fremantle have suffered the double blow of losing a game and all but losing the chance to recruit Kysaiah Pickett at the end of the season after he dominated their clash against Melbourne at the MCG.

The Demons won 16.11 (107) to 14.13 (97) to claim their first victory of the season and end Fremantle’s three-game winning streak.

Pickett has often expressed a desire to play in WA and has a close relationship with Dockers pair Shai Bolton and Quinton Narkle, but the Demons have made it clear they expect their contracted star to stay.

President Brad Green put the high price of three first round draft picks on his head before the season.

That price might be even higher now. Pickett electrified the game with four goals in the first half. He finished with five goals and 24 disposals.

He was everywhere. Pickett started in the centre square and then drifted forward to create havoc.

His first goal came from a classy gather below his knees and then snap. He then nailed Andrew Brayshaw with a tackle and set up a goal for Trent Rivers.

But those moments only set the scene for a stunning second quarter.

Pickett charged forward to receive a handball from Harrison Petty to boot his second major from the goal square. Then the Demons won the centre clearance and he nailed the shot from 45m on the run. Suddenly Melbourne had scored by 61 points.

They’d only averaged 61 points per game this season.

But Pickett wasn’t done. He soared over the pack to take a spectacular mark and kicked his fourth goal of the game.

Players with that type of skill, speed and ability to play both as a forward and midfielder don’t grow on trees. His efforts made Melbourne a totally different team to the one that went into the game with an 0-5 record.

Their inability to score disappeared.

Fremantle are known as a strong defensive unit but the Demons kicked too many easy goals. Kade Chandler even dribbled a goal through from outside 50 after the kick dropped short. No Docker defender managed to stop it.

Fremantle had to work hard for their goals. Bolton kicked two in the first half through class, and then used his brilliance to give Jeremy Sharp the chance to boot another from near the boundary line.

They got another major from a down field free kick and weren’t able to move the ball with freedom.

Melbourne led the inside 50 count 32-24 at half-time as they led by 21 points. The Demons’ desperation was summed up by them having 11 tackles inside 50 to Fremantle’s one. Max Gawn was giving them amazing service in the ruck and Fremantle was constantly under pressure.

Pickett threatened to blow the game open again at the start of the third term but he missed his first shot and then a pass to Charlie Spargo didn’t result in a score.

Fremantle then took the ball down the other end and kicked a goal through Oscar McDonald and it was only a 16-point game.

Yet Pickett remained the threat the Dockers couldn’t stop. Every time he got near the ball, he looked ready to do something special.

When Josh Draper was stuck one-on-one inside 50, Pickett marked, charged to the goalsquare, held up a peace sign to his opponent and drilled his fifth.

Fremantle needed a spark and Bolton was the man. Just like Pickett, his ability to play midfield and forward while turning nothing into something was influential.

Bolton’s dancing feet created space, his brilliant mind saw opportunity when it felt like none existed and his skills allowed him to make things happen.

The Dockers were close enough if they were good enough when Isaiah Dudley goaled deep in time-on. But Melbourne received a free kick with just seconds remaining in the third term, Harry Petty kicked his fourth and the home team led by 19 points.

Could Fremantle fight back? It looked ugly when Gawn received an early free kick directly in front of goal. He missed.

Dockers fans would have been fuming when Josh Treacy wasn’t paid a mark or free kick about 30m from goal denying them a shot. But Treacy then missed with a set shot moments later.

They had another chance when Jye Amiss had the ball in the goalsquare but Trent Rivers made a desperate lunge to force an error.

But Bolton did as he’d done all day and created another opportunity for Amiss and he kicked truly. When Amiss kicked another goal from the boundary line, Fremantle trailed by just six points with seven minutes remaining.

It was game on. But just as they’d done all day, Melbourne had the answers. Harvey Langford kicked the next goal, the Demons kept the ball forward for an extended period and that ended the Fremantle challenge.