Richmond Tigers dismantle Dockers as Fremantle signs out of Subiaco Oval with 104-point loss

THERE was no fairytale ending for Fremantle after they signed out of Subiaco Oval for the last time with a demoralising 104-point loss to Richmond this afternoon.

The Dockers looked up for the fight early with skipper Nat Fyfe back to his best in the air and Harley Bennell marking his first game in purple with two opening quarter goals.

But the Tigers, chasing a top four berth, flicked the switch in the second term with eight unanswered goals before completely dismantling the hosts in the second half to win 25.5 (155) to 7.9 (51).

Jacob Townsend, playing his first game for the season, booted six goals in the win while forward stalwart Jack Riewoldt booted four.

Brownlow contender Dustin Martin was brilliant with 36 disposals and two goals, while Shaun Grigg recorded 36 touches and Brandon Ellis 33.

So dominant were the Tigers, All Australian defender Alex Rance was pushed to full forward in the third term where he was able to snag a goal.

Fyfe led the Dockers for disposals with 30, with former skipper David Mundy collecting 27 and Brad hill 26.

Hayden Crozier kicked two goals to finish alongside Bennell as Fremantle’s most productive forwards.

Hayder Ballantyne marked his 150th game with one goal and 16 disposals.

The Dockers started brightly with Fyfe opening the scoring with a goal after he had ghosted in to mark 40 metres out amid a cloud of firework smoke.

He finished the term with 13 disposals, including eight contested, and more than 200 metres gained in a productive start.

Bennell entered the field of play a few minutes after the opening bounce to loud cheers and was soon in the action firing out a slick handball.

He delivered where it mattered most soon after by winning a free kick and finishing from 35 metres, before being swamped by teammates.

He hit the scoreboard again with 34-seconds left in the opening term with a nice snap from 45 metres out as the Dockers took a four-point lead into the first change.

But the visitors were far superior in the second term, ramming home eight goals to nil to take a 45-point lead into the second half.

Any chance of a home-side fight back in the third term was snuffed out with Richmond piling on another seven goals.

It was party-time in the final quarter as the visitors condemned Fremantle to its third 100-point loss of the season.