Fremantle has upstaged premiership fancy Melbourne and breathed more life into its NAB AFL Women's campaign after clinching a thrilling five-point victory in a seesawing contest at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.
Inspired by two superb snapped goals from debutant Emily McGuire, the efficient Freo Dockers overcame another slow start to notch back-to-back triumphs and end the Demons' unbeaten start to the season, 6.0 (36) to 4.7 (31).
Scores were deadlocked 30-all midway through the final term when McGuire brought the home crowd to their feet with her second major from the pocket.
Freo hung on grimly in the dying stages, with a desperate defensive effort in the goalsquare by Leah Mascall foiling a near-certain major by Aliesha Newman.
Freo celebrated wildly at the final siren, having fought back from a scoreless opening term dominated by the visitors with the breeze at their backs.
Dockers skipper Kara Donnellan (18 possessions) dragged her side back into the game after quarter-time and the Dockers took a surprise one-point lead into half-time after gun defender Ebony Antonio launched a near-50m roost.
The third quarter was an arm wrestle. Freo surged to a handy 13-point buffer before Melbourne fought back to hit the front by one straight kick at the final change.
Pearce did everything in her power to get Melbourne over the line but, aside from the dominant opening term, didn't get enough support from her midfield sidekicks.
Defender Evangeline Gooch (15 disposals) stood tall for the Dockers all match, with strong support from Lisa Webb (16) and Lara Filocamo (13).
FREMANTLE 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 (36)
MELBOURNE 1.5 1.5 4.6 4.7 (31)
GOALS
Fremantle: McGuire 2, Antonio, Lavell, Webb, Caulfield
Melbourne: Cunningham 2, Newman, Paxman
BEST
Fremantle: Donnellan, Gooch, Antonio, Webb, Filocamo, McGuire
Melbourne: Pearce, Paxman, Cunningham, O'Dea, Jakobsson
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Melbourne: Phillips (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Howorth, Johansen, Heffernan
Official crowd: 3125 at Fremantle Oval
