Fremantle slipped into the top four midway through round 19 following their 17.14 (116) to 12.8 (80) win over Carlton in front of a crowd of 30,457 at Etihad Stadium.
The Dockers led by eight, nine and 10 points at each change but flexed their muscles in the final term as they outscored Carlton five goals to one.
Fremantle's record now stands at 13-and-a-half wins from 18 games, while the Blues have slipped to 9-9 with four rounds to play.
Small forwards Michael Walters (four goals) and Hayden Ballantyne (three goals) were match-winners for Fremantle while Walters' opponent Zach Tuohy kicked three goals for the Blues and Heath Scotland was busy across half-back.
Ballantyne was abused by Carlton fans sitting close to the interchange bench after coming off the ground to have a ripped jumper replaced during the third quarter, prompting the visitors to request extra security.
The cheeky small forward had earned the wrath of the Blues after winning a free kick and 50-metre penalty, and then exchanging words with his opponents after converting the resulting set shot.
Nathan Fyfe, with 31 disposals and seven clearances, was a star for the Dockers, while Ryan Crowley tagged Carlton skipper Marc Murphy out of the game, holding him to just 13 touches.
Furious Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said his team had been given a lesson in work-rate by Fremantle, and said at least 10 of his players had "absolute stinkers".
He described the performances of small forwards Eddie Betts and Chris Yarran, who managed a combined 19 disposals and no goals, as "horrible".
Fremantle led by nine points at half-time after the Blues were forced to sub midfielder Andrew Carrazzo out early in the second term with what Malthouse said was a badly bruised calf.
The game's tempo went up a notch early in the third term when Tuohy kicked two fine goals on the run to put the Blues in front.
But the Dockers replied immediately with a devastating five-goal burst in 10 minutes to move 28 points clear.
Three late goals from the Blues, including one from Jeff Garlett after the siren, cut the margin to 10 points at three-quarter time after both sides scored five goals for the term.
Fremantle's defensive pressure all over the ground took its toll as Carlton conceded five goals in the final term, scoring a solitary major through Lachie Henderson on the siren.
The Dockers will await scans on a right calf injury to Clancee Pearce, who was subbed off during the final term.
David Mundy battled an ankle problem throughout the second half, with coach Ross Lyon saying the midfielder was "sore" after the match.
Fremantle made two late changes before the game, with Garrick Ibbotson failing to get over an achilles complaint in time, and Matt Taberner left out for team balance.
Carlton plays the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Saturday while Fremantle will host Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium the following day.
The Dockers will regain star forward Matthew Pavlich from suspension.
CARLTON 3.1 6.2 11.6 12.8 (80)
FREMANTLE 4.3 7.5 12.10 17.14 (116)
GOALS
Carlton: Tuohy 3, Garlett 2, Henderson 2, Watson, Rowe, McLean, Judd, Armfield
Fremantle: Walters 4, Ballantyne 3, Hill 2, Neale 2, Suban 2, Sandilands, Mzungu, Barlow, Pearce
BEST
Carlton: Scotland, Robinson, Tuohy, Simpson, Judd, Gibbs
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Ballantyne, Barlow, Neale, Pearce, Crowley
INJURIES
Carlton: Carrazzo (foot – TBC)
Fremantle: Ibbotson (TBC) and Taberner (TBC) replaced in selected side by Sheridan and Sutcliffe; C Pearce (right calf)
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Kane Lucas replaced Andrew Carrazzo during the second quarter
Fremantle: Tom Sheridan replaced Clancee Pearce in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, McInerney, Mollison
Official crowd: 30,457 at Etihad Stadium
