Michael Walters was the hero in a thrilling after-the-siren one-point victory over Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.

After trailing the gutsy visitors by 11 points early in the final term, Fremantle had the Lions under siege and levelled the scores through Nat Fyfe's miss inside the last two minutes.

Surging towards the finish line, Fremantle staved off the Lions' attempt to win the clash before Ed Langdon found Walters 40m out from goal on a worse than 45-degree angle with just seconds remaining.

The final siren sounded as Walters lined up his shot, which cannoned into the goalpost to secure a remarkable 10.13 (73) to 10.12 (72) triumph which keeps Fremantle's finals flame flickering.

Freo fans erupted as Walters' kick hit the upright, and the star forward – who kicked the only goal of the final quarter at the 18-minute mark – was mobbed by his teammates as they improved to 5-5 this season. 

Fremantle climbed back into eighth spot at the end of round 10 after losing their previous three games, while the Lions will be disappointed after dropping four points they had within their grasp.

Chris Fagan's men are now 6-4 and are hanging onto sixth spot.

In Lachie Neale's return to face his former side, the Lions burst out of the blocks and led by 17 points late in the opening term.

It was the Charlie Cameron show early as Brisbane's star small forward ran riot in a three-goal opening term.

The Lions' efficiency was in contrast to Fremantle, which had a glut of opportunities to apply scoreboard pressure.

Fremantle had 17 inside 50s to 13 for the term but trailed by 16 points before Adam Cerra drilled his second on the siren.

The second stanza was an armwrestle, with Freo kicking the only two goals of the term to draw within a point at the major break.

It was a see-sawing contest throughout the third term as the lead changed hands four times. 

Freo hit the front at the 20-minute mark after Fyfe shoved Neale aside and marked at the top of the goalsquare, but Brisbane answered with two quick goals to Oscar McInerney and Dayne Zorko to take all the momentum into the final change.

However, the Lions lost their dare in the last stanza, as Fremantle piled on the pressure with 15 inside 50s to six for the term.

It looked like Brisbane would hang on as Fremantle peppered the goals but only managed 1.5 for the quarter before Walters stepped up with the last kick.

Hard-running wingman Bradley Hill was instrumental for the home side, scything through the Lions' zone and finishing with 31 touches in a superb performance. 

Usual suspects Fyfe (26 disposals) and Walters (25) powered the engine room, although the Lions took the points from centre clearances with Neale (five) at his best at the restarts.

The two-time Doig medallist ended with 26 touches – eight fewer than his season average – but Hugh McCluggage was the standout through the midfield, while impressive defender Andrews stood tall with 10 marks. 

Brennan Cox (two goals) bounced back from a quiet performance to help guide Fremantle home. 

MEDICAL ROOM

Fremantle: Nat Fyfe came to the bench in the first term and appeared to have his neck checked out by medical staff but returned soon after. Rory Lobb appeared to hurt his left ankle or shin late in the game but played on.

Brisbane: The Lions appeared to get through without any major issues. Eric Hipwood came off for some treatment on his hip in the final term.

NEXT UP
The Dockers face one of the toughest tasks in football next Saturday afternoon against Collingwood at the MCG, while the Lions return home to host Hawthorn that evening.

FREMANTLE           3.4     5.6     9.7     10.13 (73)
BRISBANE     5.2     5.7     10.9    10.12 (72)

GOALS
Fremantle: Cerra 2, Cox 2, Walters 2, Brayshaw, Lobb, Matera, Fyfe,
Brisbane: Cameron 3, McStay 2, McCluggage, Taylor, Hinge, McInerney, Zorko

BEST 
Fremantle: Hill, Walters, Hamling, Ryan, Mundy, Fyfe
Brisbane: Andrews, McCluggage, Rich, Neale, Zorko, Cameron
 
INJURIES 
Fremantle: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, Hosking, Hay

Official crowd: 36,383 at Optus Stadium