With a 35-point win over Carlton on Sunday at Domain Stadium, Fremantle won their sixth game from the past seven rounds and moved up to fifth on the AFL ladder.
Here are some of the notable moments and performances from the game.
Slow start, strong finish
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, because Fremantle prevailed once again after having their backs against the wall.
In soggy conditions, Carlton raced to a 28-0 lead before Freo responded, piling on 13 of the last 16 goals of the game.
Fremantle scored 34 points in the opening half and 52 points after half time, and it’s been a similar story all season.
In 2017, Freo has done 62 per cent of their scoring in the second half, with 278 points up to half time and 449 points after the main break.
Switching things up
Carlton delivered the first 12 inside 50s of the contest and, according to Champion Data, the ball spent just 2 mins, 1 sec in Fremantle’s forward 50 in the opening term compared to Carlton’s 5 mins, 1 sec.
Ross Lyon said in his post-match media conference that he didn’t give his players a rocket at quarter time, instead, Hayden Crozier gave some insight into how Freo’s coaching staff made some structural changes to turn the game around.
“(Carlton) were getting numbers back on us in the forward line,” Crozier said.
“Once we made it into a contest with seven on seven or eight on eight, I thought we played really well with even numbers.”
Croz finds his mojo
Crozier has struggled to make the most of his opportunities since returning to the side in round three, kicking 5.9 heading into Sunday’s game.
Against Carlton, Crozier kicked three goals straight with his two second quarter goals crucial to Freo’s comeback.
Crozier was also instrumental in the third term, knocking the ball from a marking contest in Shane Kersten’s direction, who soccered through the goal to put Freo in front for good.
All class from Croz #foreverfreo #AFLFreoBlues pic.twitter.com/To7yJX5f0Q
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 21, 2017
Mid-air MAGIC from Shane Kersten #foreverfreo #AFLFreoBlues pic.twitter.com/fyTz59oeFz
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 21, 2017
Sonny’s still got it
Not that we ever doubted him, but the small forward ended a four game goalless streak in style with three third quarter goals.
Despite the occasional stint up front, Walters continued to contribute to Fremantle’s engine room with 14 contested possessions from his 27 touches.
Take a bow SON SON! #foreverfreo #aflfreoblues pic.twitter.com/iraYpg83dJ
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 21, 2017
Numbers tell a different story
With 33 touches, nine tackles and seven marks, 21-year-old Connor Blakely continued to impress as he develops in Fremantle’s midfield.
But Ross Lyon said he wasn’t as blown away with Blakely in the post-game media conference, with opponent Marc Murphy racking up 32 touches of his own.
“I think (Blakely and Murphy) shook hands and said goodbye, its not exactly how we want him to play,” Lyon said.
“He knows that and he was a little bit disappointed in some respects.”
Fit Freo, wounded Blues
At one time in Sunday’s contest, Carlton was unable to make a substitution with Sam Rowe (knee) and Dale Thomas (concussion) done for the day with a further two players receiving treatment for the blood rule.
Conversely, Fremantle got through the hard-fought contest “unscathed” according to Lyon.
Lachie Neale appreciation
It would be an injustice to Lachie Neale if he didn’t rate a mention after racking up 37 disposals and eight clearances in a best on ground performance.
Fox Footy commentator Gerard Healy was glowing in his assessment of Neale after the midfielder’s brilliant second quarter goal pulled Fremantle within two points.
“That was an individual performance of great excellence,” Healy said.
“He wheeled out, didn’t want to give a cheap handball, turned around onto his right foot and has single handedly got the Dockers back into this match.”
Neale spins one way, then the next…and he goals! #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/Du9e4KYWZw
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 21, 2017