A youthful Fremantle outfit have staged one of the upsets of the season over ladder-leading Geelong and kept their finals dream alive after surging to a 34-point triumph at Optus Stadium. 

Following week of external pressure after a disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs, Freo appeared galvanised and fought tooth and nail against the stuttering Cats, who couldn't handle the heat.

The win capped off a dream debut for Next Generation Academy prospect Jason Carter, who became the first AFL player to hail from his hometown of Wyndham.

Coming from 15 points down at quarter-time, Fremantle got the match on their terms with a ferocious pressure game, back to Lyon's hallmark style after five losses from six games.

Stifling Geelong's ball movement, Fremantle held the visitors to just four goals after the opening change in a morale-boosting 14.11 (95) to 9.7 (61) victory. 

Fremantle’s ninth win was one better than each of their past two campaigns and lifted them back in the September hunt, now only percentage off Adelaide (who have a game in hand) in eighth spot.

Coach Chris Scott would be scratching his head wondering what has gone wrong with his side after a fourth defeat in seven games.

Geelong's grip on a top-two spot and home qualifying final is suddenly looking decidedly shaky, with West Coast and Brisbane both chances of moving to equal position on 14 wins by the conclusion of round 20.

With spearhead Tom Hawkins (three goals) held scoreless after quarter time, the Cats couldn't find an avenue forward and a run home against North Melbourne, Brisbane and Carlton is suddenly looking tricky.

After dominating the competition in an 11-1 start, there are doubts over Geelong's credibility as a flag contender, with a lack of leg speed exposed by the hungrier Dockers, who booted seven unanswered goals after half-time.

The signs were looking ominous for Fremantle early when Hawkins stood tall for an imperious mark and goal.

The Coleman Medal hopeful nailed three in the opening term as the Cats cruised to a 15-point lead, which could have been bigger if not for Ed Langdon's freakish soccered goal. 

Fremantle's commitment to the contest kept them in the hunt, and with Bradley Hill (27 disposals) running riot the home side stormed back in the second stanza. 

Despite lining up with an unheralded attack, who had combined for just 13 majors this season, it was Fremantle who looked more dangerous and they finally started capitalising on their opportunities.

Young duo Mitch Crowden (two goals) and Bailey Banfield (one) dragged Freo back into it, and Freo were given a raucous standing ovation leaving the field at half-time moments after Sean Darcy put them up by three points.

Steadying majors after the long break through Tim Kelly (25 disposals) and Gary Rohan appeared to get the Cats back on track, but when superstar Nat Fyfe (27) bobbed up with two big marks and goals a truly remarkable upset was on the cards.

Rubbing salt into the wounds, Rohan's day was over early in the third term when he limped from the field with a left ankle problem.

MEDICAL ROOM

Fremantle: The Dockers appeared to get through without any fresh injury worries. 

Geelong: Gary Rohan limped off midway through the third quarter and went down to the rooms with an apparent left ankle issue, failing to reappear.  

NEXT UP

The Dockers return to Marvel Stadium for a must-win clash with fellow finals hopeful St Kilda which looks a lot tougher than a month ago, while Geelong heads back to the Cattery for a huge danger game against North Melbourne.

FREMANTLE   2.4       6.7       9.8       14.11 (95)

GEELONG        5.1       6.4       8.6       9.7 (61)

GOALS

Fremantle: Crowden 2, Fyfe 2, Langdon 2, Mundy 2, Brayshaw, Banfield, Darcy, Walters, Matera, Duman

Geelong: Hawkins 3,C.Guthrie 2, Clark, Ablett, Kelly, Rohan

BEST

Fremantle: Fyfe, B.Hill, Walters, Sandilands, Langdon, Duman, Crowden

Geelong: Stewart, Kelly, Duncan, Hawkins, C.Guthrie

 
INJURIES

Fremantle: Nil

Geelong: Luke Dahlhaus (rested) replaced in selected side by Sam Menegola, Mark O'Connor (injured) replaced in selected side by Lachie Henderson, Rohan (leg)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Power, Nicholls, Mollison