Fremantle has squared its season with a 16-point win against the Western Bulldogs, refusing to wilt under pressure or mounting injuries at Optus Stadium in one of the Club's grittiest wins under Justin Longmuir. 

Leading by 24 points at the last change, but with Luke Jackson, Corey Wagner and Nathan O'Driscoll all injured, Fremantle held their nerve in a tense and frantic clash to win 15.7 (97) to 12.9 (81).

It was a significant victory for the finals hopefuls, whose record in close matches has been an issue, with draftee Murphy Reid providing the match-sealing moment when he knocked Harvey Gallagher over the boundary and then scored a goal from the subsequent stoppage. 

While showcasing the Freo's determination when the game was against them, it also highlighted their firepower during a six-goal run in the second quarter that set up the win.

Star midfielder Caleb Serong was immense again, leading the midfield with 38 disposals and 15 clearances, while fellow vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw (29 and a goal) lifted at critical moments.

They were pushed all the way by a tough Bulldogs engine room, and the club's young superstar Sam Darcy, who booted five goals and took 11 marks in another outstanding performance. 

Ultimately, however, the Bulldogs go to Gather Round with the same 2-2 record as Freo and will rue their second-quarter lapse that saw Fremantle kick six unanswered goals in 13 minutes.

Painfully for the Bulldogs, it came after a first quarter that saw the visitors dominate inside 50s (19-8) and possession (117-68), repeatedly winning the ball back and locking it in their front half.

Darcy got hold of Alex Pearce to kick two early goals, while Rory Lobb was a constant nuisance for his former club at the other end of the ground, drawing boos from the crowd as he pushed up repeatedly to intercept.

The match was played at a frantic pace, however, and Freo got their opportunities and took them, somehow leading at the first change after an electric burst from Shai Bolton that included his first goal as a Docker and a Mark of the Year attempt that wasn't completed.

Having kept pace with the Bulldogs during their early assault, Fremantle made their move in the second term, kicking seven goals to two – including a run of six unanswered – to seemingly take control of the contest. 

Brayshaw, in his 150th game, had a massive 13 disposals for the term and erupted after kicking a running goal late in the quarter that put his team 26 points up.

Josh Treacy continued to grow in stature and booted two goals during Freo's run, while pre-season addition Isaiah Dudley provided a highlight when he stayed down during a contest and crumbed, snapping brilliantly off one step. 

The stage was set for Fremantle to make a big statement after entering the main break 32 points clear, but the Bulldogs turned the match into a scrap in the third quarter and clawed their way back into the game. 

Darcy's fourth goal and a 40m snap from Sanders cut the margin to 20 points quickly but, as they had in the first quarter, Freo continued to find goals when they were on the back foot. 

Bolton enjoyed another burst and kicked his second goal to restore Freo's four-goal lead at the last break, but there were injury issues emerging for the home team as Jackson left the ground and was treated for a hamstring concern.

O'Driscoll was also hobbled by an ankle issue late in the quarter, while Wagner had already been substituted with calf awareness, setting a significant challenge for Freo if they were going to hold on. 

Pain-free Bolton shows true colours
There were glimpses of what Shai Bolton could do in his first two games in purple, but he still appeared hampered by leg soreness and couldn't tie off his work after a knock late in the pre-season. Feeling good ahead of round three, the star recruit exploded in the opening quarter to kick his first goal as a Freo Docker and then fly over Rory Lobb for what would have been Mark of the Year if he held on. It was exactly what Fremantle wanted when they recruited the dual premiership Tiger, who exploded past Bailey Williams and took an audacious bounce for good measure to kick his first goal at his new club.

Does Lobb walk the walk?
Everything Rory Lobb has done since transforming himself into a consistent AFL defender suggests he is the type of player who can carry-off a loud hairstyle. Blue dye a fortnight ago was one thing, but Lobb returned to Perth with a red lobster dyed into his bleached hair. Knowing from experience the crowd would be against him, Lobb walked the walk – particularly early – and made life difficult for Fremantle forwards with his aerial ability. He positioned well and repeatedly intercepted the ball, finishing with seven marks.

Reid's special talents
It's been obvious since his four-goal debut that Fremantle's No.16 is a special player, but Murphy Reid is finding new – and sometimes subtle – ways to impact games. On Sunday alone, there was the over-the-head handball to set up Michael Frederick's goal in the first quarter and a piercing inside 50 to again aid Frederick. Then there was the bump of Harvey Gallagher deep in the fourth quarter to make his match-sealing goal possible. Freo were thrilled when the midfielder slipped to pick No.17 in last year's Draft. He hasn't let them down. 

FREMANTLE                  4.2     11.5    14.6    15.7 (97)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   4.0     6.3     10.6     12.9 (81)

GOALS
Fremantle: Treacy 3, Frederick 3, Bolton 2, Brayshaw, Sharp, Jackson, Banfield, Dudley, Amiss, Reid
Western Bulldogs: Darcy 5, Sanders 2, Harmes, West, O'Donnell, Naughton, McNeil 

BEST
Fremantle: Serong, Treacy, Brayshaw, Reid, Frederick, Chapman, Jackson 
Western Bulldogs: Darcy, Liberatore, Dale, English, Kennedy, Sanders 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Jackson (hamstring), O'Driscoll (ankle), Wagner (calf awareness)
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (knee soreness) 

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Karl Worner (replaced Corey Wagner in the third quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Harvey Gallagher (replaced Laitham Vandermeer in the second quarter)

Crowd: 41,491 at Optus Stadium