FREMANTLE has handed the AFL a promoter’s dream by defeating Essendon by 54 points at Subiaco Oval, setting up a final round do-or-die clash between the Bombers and Hawthorn to determine eighth spot next Saturday.

The form guide went out the window as Fremantle – so poor last week against Melbourne – outclassed the Bombers, who were coming off a magnificent win against ladder-leader St Kilda. Fremantle led at every change to run out comprehensive winners, 21.15 (141) to 13.9 (87).

A dominant performance by ruckman Aaron Sandilands (21 possessions and 42 hitouts) and multiple goals from Hayden Ballantyne (four), milestone man Luke McPharlin (three) and Clancee Pearce (three) saw Fremantle to its sixth win of the season.

Essendon must now find an answer to overcome its depleted ruck stocks and beat a resurgent Hawthorn at the MCG next week to cement a finals berth for the first time since 2004.

For Fremantle, the victory provided a degree of redemption after last week’s 63-point loss to Melbourne and further showcased the development of young players like Ballantyne, Pearce, Nic Suban and Matt de Boer.

The Bombers opened with a strong breeze at their backs, but struggled to find a winning forward. Last week’s match-winner Jobe Watson was being closely tagged by Paul Hasleby, but slipped forward to kick the opening goal after six minutes.

From then on, Fremantle took control as a clever tap on from Chris Mayne set up Pearce’s first goal into the wind. Pearce added a second from the 50-metre line just minutes later, and when Hayden Ballantyne kicked truly, the Bombers were looking flat-flooted.

Sandilands was giving Fremantle’s midfield first use of the ball, but Essendon fought back to level the scores.

A goal to McPharlin right before the quarter-time siren saw Fremantle go to the opening break with a six-point advantage.

Sandilands continued to torment his younger opponents Tom Bellchambers and Cale Hooker in the second quarter, and Fremantle cut loose with a string of goals to Paul Duffield, Kepler Bradley and Sandilands himself.

Essendon was in dire straits, with regular ball-winners Watson, Angus Monfries and Brent Stanton struggling for possessions and the Fremantle defence operating with ruthless efficiency to shut down any Bomber attack.

Back-to-back goals to Stanton and Hooker gave the Bombers some hope, but David Mundy and McPharlin both goaled deep in time-on to give Fremantle a commanding 27-point lead at the long break.

Fremantle made light work of kicking into the wind in the third quarter with Mundy, Matthew Pavlich and Suban continually driving the home side forward and extending its lead to 44 points.

The Bombers were hanging in but were still unable to find a reliable target in their forward 50. In contrast, Fremantle had McPharlin continually presenting and were able to produce running goals from Pearce, Suban and Garrick Ibbotson.

Trailing by 39 points at the final break, the Bombers prepared for one final roll of the dice, opening with goals to Hurley and Lovett-Murray.

Pavlich then stepped up and manufactured a goal out of the middle of a pack to steady the home side, and goals to Ballantyne and Headland shut the door on the Bombers.

To rub salt in the Bombers’ wounds, small forward Alwyn Davey left the ground midway through the quarter with a shoulder injury after crashing into a goalpost.

Sandilands monstered the Bombers to be Fremantle’s best, Suban continued his development as a future star, Hasleby was superb in restricting Watson's impact, while Pavlich, Mundy and McPharlin were among the best players.

For the Bombers, Ricky Dyson, Brent Prismall and Jason Winderlich worked hard throughout the day.

Fremantle     4.2    9.6    15.11   21.15 (141)
Essendon     3.2    5.3    9.8        13.9 (87)

GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, McPharlin, Pearce 3, Pavlich, Suban 2, Bradley, Duffield, Hasleby, Headland, Ibbotson, Mundy, Sandilands
Essendon: Hurley 3, Lovett-Murray 2, Davey, Hooker, McPhee, Monfries, Neagle, Stanton, Watson, Winderlich

BEST
Fremantle: Sandilands, Mundy, Hasleby, Pavlich, Suban, Dodd, McPharlin, Bradley
Essendon: Hurley, Dyson, Prismall, Winderlich, Lovett 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil    
Essendon: Lonergan replaced in selected side by Jetta, Davey (shoulder), Hurley (thumb)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Sully, Avon, McInerney

Official crowd: 32,413 at Subiaco Oval

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.