AFL fans lost their collective spirit as an unheralded Fremantle defender sealed an exciting victory with an incredible game-saving game.
AFL fans praised Fremantle’s Heath Chapman after securing the Dockers’ 83-82 victory over Adelaide with a sensational play-saving game.
After a point behind with just seconds on the clock, the Crows pushed forward for a final attack and they seemed as if they could steal the victory when Ben Keays shot the ball towards goal.
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But Chapman stood on the front line as the last line of defense. While fighting against the opponent, he somehow managed to get his arm free and hit the ball away from the goalies in the direction of opponents.
If the ball had been deflected by a backlog, it would have been leveled at 83-83 and the game would have been a draw.
But Chapman was clearly aware of the situation of the match and refused to let the ball cross the line and Fremantle survived the remaining seconds to secure an exciting victory with one point.
“It just shows a young player who had his head in the game,” Fremantle coach Justin Longmiur said.
“To be able to spoil the ball and do what he did to avoid a point was great game sense.
“I told him it was the best warning I’ve ever seen in the changing rooms – that would probably take it a little too far.
“But it was really important and whether he spoiled it in our numbers, that was a piece of luck, it was a great effort to be ahead in the game.”
Spectators lost their heads at the frenetic finish and compared Chapman to a football goalkeeper saving the game for his team.
Sports broadcaster Daniel Garb tweeted: “Wow, what an ingenious piece of defense Chapman defended at death to save a point. Match won.”
Seven News’ Ryan Daniels said: “Heath Chapman on the Zillinn. Brilliant Effort.”
Broadcaster and podcaster Neroli Meadows said, “How is the goalkeeper?!?!? That was insane !! What a conclusion!”
AFL Reporter Riley Beveridge added: “Could be Heath Chapman’s Heads-up Game of the Year.”
The Age’s Roy Ward posted: “You’ll be struggling to find much better clutch players than Heath Chapman’s ‘save’.
“Almost every defender would hit it for a point just out of habit. He knew the score, new moment and kept his head down. Also did not hit the opposition!”
Adelaide slowly overcame the first half to take the lead in the middle of the third quarter and seemed to be heading for victory.
But Fremantle scored the last three goals of the game to move on with a five-minute lead.
The decisive blow came as Adelaide turned and Lachie Schultz jumped, scoring a 50-yard goal on the run to pull the lead for the Dockers.
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