Dockers are mediocre: coach Lyon

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says his side is mediocre after losing by 18 points to a fast-finishing Port Adelaide in Saturday's AFL match at Adelaide Oval.

Chad Wingard of Port Adelaide reacts at the full time siren.

Dynamic Chad Wingard has kicked five goals as Port Adelaide over-ran Fremantle for an 18-point win. (AAP)

Coach Ross Lyon says Fremantle are mediocre after being steamrolled by a fast-finishing Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The Power took top spot on the AFL ladder with their stirring 18-point victory, 13.16 (94) to 11.10 (76), at Adelaide Oval.

Port banked their seventh win from eight games to record their best-ever start to a season.

"We have played good footy, there is no doubt we have played strong footy," Port coach Ken Hinkley said after his side kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to down the Dockers.

"We have played enough solid football that we are where we are. And we deserve that right now."

Freo boss Lyon was blunt when describing his Dockers as "in the ruck" with four wins and four losses.

"We have got some challenges ... we are a mediocre team at the minute," Lyon said.

"We acknowledge it: we are normal, good, average, mediocre ... but we are certainly not great, that is indisputable."

Fremantle playmaker Stephen Hill suffered a left knee injury and was substituted early in the third quarter.

And defender Paul Duffield faces suspension for a late, head-high bump on Port's Chad Wingard, who was the game-breaker.

Wingard slotted five goals and took a mark of the year contender in a dynamic performance in his 50th AFL game.

The Port ace already has a club champion award and an All Australian jumper - all before turning 21-years-old.

Wingard kept his side in the contest. After being stunned by Duffield's hit, he kicked four of Port's next five goals.

Another of Port's young guns, 19-year-old Ollie Wines, was also influential, gathering 27 disposals which included 13 contested possessions and six clearances.

Wines' more experienced midfield colleagues Travis Boak (29 disposals) and Robbie Gray also produced vital output.

Gray's turnaround was stunning: he had just five disposals in the first half but blitzed it in the second half to finish with 30 touches, seven clearances and a game-high four score assists.

Gray's revival helped counter Fremantle's renowned onball brigade, led by the tireless Nat Fyfe, who gathered 34 disposals, and David Mundy (31 possessions) and the emerging Lachie Neale (28 touches).

The trio helped Freo craft a five-point lead at three quarter-time, only to get blown away in the last term when Port kicked the initial five goals.


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Source: AAP


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