Fremantle's finals hopes are officially over after a 58-point loss at the hands of a sprightly St Kilda in Hobart on Sunday afternoon.
Freo's lackadaisical performance belied the fact that a finals spot was up for grabs, while the out-of-contention Saints played with freedom and flair in the 17.5(107) to 6.13(49) victory.
The Saints' ability to transition the ball forward from half-back gave their forwards ample shots on goal in the opening half.
With the Hobart sun beating down, Fremantle turned up the heat after half-time, making the Saints work hard for every possession.
But they withstood the pressure, booting four goals in the third quarter to Fremantle's one to take a 33-point lead into the final term.
Goals rained down for St Kilda in the final term, nearly doubling their three-quarter-time lead to put the game – and finals – firmly out of Fremantle's reach.
In the absence of key spearhead Max King, St Kilda's mid-season recruit Cooper Sharman stood tall, clunking five marks – four contested - and booting four goals. It marks his fourth straight game with multiple goals since debuting properly in round 20.
St Kilda captain Jack Steele was reliably prolific, racking up 35 touches and seven tackles, while Tim Membrey complemented Sharman's haul with three goals of his own.
Andrew Brayshaw was among the best for Fremantle with 29 touches while Caleb Serong racked up 35 touches and a game-high nine clearances.
ST KILDA 3.0 6.3 10.5 17.5 (107)
FREMANTLE 1.4 3.5 4.8 6.13 (49)
GOALS
St Kilda: Sharman 4, Membrey 3, Kent 2, Higgins 2, Butler 2, Bytel 2, Marshall 2
Fremantle: Crowden, Switkowski, Taberner, Henry, Banfield, Treacy
BEST
St Kilda: Steele, Marshall, Sharman, Sinclair, Hill, Crouch, Higgins
Fremantle: Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Mundy
INJURIES
St Kilda: Hill (left ankle)
Fremantle: Cerra (corked thigh) replaced in the selected aside by Acres, Switkowski (TBC), Darcy (leg)
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Byrnes (replaced Hill)
Fremantle: Western (replaced Switkowski)
Crowd: TBC at Blundstone Arena
