Melbourne have snapped a four-match losing streak defeating Fremantle 13.7 (85) to 11.5 (71) defeat at the MCG, with Fremantle losing key forward Jesse Hogan in the opening term.
The Demons remain in the bottom four, while Fremantle is just one win, plus ample percentage, ahead of the chasing pack outside the top eight.
Fremantle star Michael Walters threatened to be the match-winner for the fourth game in a row.
Walters snatched back the lead inside the first eight minutes of the final term after receiving a free kick against Bayley Fritsch, having taken a one-handed mark, anyway.
However, the Demons never trailed once James Harmes kicked truly from the goalsquare after a brilliant Angus Brayshaw pass.
Melbourne forward Tom McDonald (28 disposals, seven marks) steadily built into the contest and was responsible for two telling blows to Fremantle's winning hopes that followed Harmes' score.
Firstly, there was his set-shot strike from beyond 50m – after winning a free kick under a high ball – then he bounced through his third goal for the day.
Low-profile 11-gamer Tim Smith also bobbed up with three goals in a complementary role.
All Australian midfielder Clayton Oliver was another excellent performer when the match was on the line, finishing with 28 possessions, 11 clearances and six inside 50s.
There were also important contributions from Max Gawn, Jay Lockhart, Viney, Brayshaw and defender Sam Frost, who recovered from some poor moments earlier in the game.
Saturday's match marked the first time Hogan and ex-Sun Steven May faced off since a blockbuster trade involving multiple clubs in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
That focus quickly subsided when Hogan came from the ground in the opening quarter with a sore foot, and he was done for the day shortly after a brief return.
He didn't play for the Demons after round 21 last year because of a stress fracture in the navicular bone of the same foot.
May was playing just his third senior game in red and blue after suspension and a groin complaint, and spent the opening quarter on Hogan before the latter's day ended.
Fremantle otherwise enjoyed a good start to the day, jumping out to a 17-point advantage in the second term thanks to its clearance and contested ball dominance.
Blistering beginnings from Nat Fyfe and Bradley Hill, who had 23 touches between them at quarter-time, helped as well.
They finished with 31 disposals apiece.
But Melbourne's ability to correct some of those earlier discrepancies and improve its kicking inside 50 resulted in the game becoming a dogfight.
Freo held sway by six points at half-time and five at three-quarter time, but the injury toll – including losing Stephen Hill in the third term – and some inspired Demons play counted against them.
MEDICAL ROOM
Melbourne: The Demons appeared to come through the game unscathed.
Fremantle: Jesse Hogan came from the ground in the first quarter complaining of a sore right foot and his return to the field afterwards didn't last long. Hogan, whose season ended early last year because of a navicular issue on the same foot, did not play after quarter-time. Stephen Hill (left hamstring) was also done for the day early in the third term. Nathan Wilson (ankle) and Sean Darcy (ribs) also had issues throughout the contest.
MELBOURNE 2.1 5.4 9.6 13.7 (85)
FREMANTLE 4.1 6.4 10.5 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Melbourne: Smith 3, McDonald 3, Lockhart 2, Petracca, Oliver, Weideman, Gawn, Harmes
Fremantle: Matera 3, Walters 3, Cox, Langdon, Darcy, Tucker, Brayshaw
BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Gawn, T.McDonald, Viney, Lockhart, Brayshaw
Fremantle: B.Hill, Fyfe, Matera, Walters, Conca, Langdon
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Fremantle: Jesse Hogan (foot), Stephen Hill (hamstring)
Reports: Michael Walters (Fremantle) reported for headbutting
Umpires: Foot, Deboy, Findlay, Dore
Official crowd: 20,211 at the MCG
