Fremantle's finals hopes dealt major blow after Jesse Hogan foot injury in MCG return
Fremantle's AFL finals hopes have suffered a triple hit, with an upset 14-point loss to Melbourne and injuries to Jesse Hogan and Stephen Hill.
The Demons ran over the top of the Dockers on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, kicking four goals to one in the last quarter and winning 13.7 (85) to 11.5 (71).
In his first game against his old club, Hogan appeared to suffer a recurrence of a navicular bone injury from late last season.
Fremantle started round 14 at sixth on the ladder, but were unable to consolidate their top-eight berth and slipped to 7-6 for the season.
Forward Tom McDonald, who kicked three goals, and defender Sam Frost had big returns to form for Melbourne after disappointing campaigns so far, while ruckman Max Gawn starred again.
On his return to the MCG to play his former teammates, Hogan failed to run out the match AAP
Following the win, Gawn expressed his concern surrounding Hogan's health and said there was no bad feeling between Melbourne and the departed forward.
"He's a good man Jesse," Gawn told Fox Footy.
"People leave clubs all the time especially now in today's game of free agency and what not.
"He really wanted to get home and the way the club looked after that to get him home, both parties are happy.
"Unfortunately Jesse couldn't play footy today, but he's still well-respected here at Demon land."
The much-awaited match-up between Steven May and Hogan did not last long AAP
The much-hyped duel between Hogan and Melbourne key defender Stephen May did not last for even the first quarter.
Hogan left the field because of his right foot injury and, after some run-throughs on the boundary line, he was ruled out of the game early in the second term.
The Dockers were down to two fit men early in the third quarter when Stephen Hill suffered a hamstring injury.
Fremantle also faces a nervous wait after star forward Michael Walters was reported for headbutting Demons youngster Jay Lockhart in the third quarter.
Captain Nat Fyfe, Walters, Bradley Hill and Luke Ryan were best for the Dockers who will face Carlton at Optus Stadium in Round 15.
