Defender Connor Blakely said he’s never felt happier at Fremantle after reaching the 50-game milestone in Freo’s 21-point win against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

The win saw Freo improve to seven wins and five losses and rise to sixth at the mid-point of round 13.

Fremantle battled until the final siren, extending the team’s run as the AFL’s best fourth-quarter team by winning their ninth final term of the season.

“It was unreal. Port gave it to us all day up until pretty much 10 minutes to go in the final quarter,” Blakely said.

“We’ve shown this year that we’ve been able to go until the end and the boys played really well. I’m just so happy to be in this environment.

“Everyone is playing their role, playing their trademark Dockers footy that we’ve been aiming for all year. For that to come off and get the win, it’s a great feeling.”

It was a crucial victory against the Power with Port starting the round in eighth with six wins and five losses and just two percentage points ahead of the ninth-placed Freo.

“You do have a look at the ladder, we were on the same points as them and they were higher than us on percentage,” Blakely said.

“It was a bit of an eight-point game and for us to put that together and get the win, it’s great and we’ll be looking forward to Melbourne next week.

“Pretty much from now until the end of the year, every game is going to be crucial. I think from second place to tenth, everyone is so close.”

Blakely said he feels his game fitness building in his fourth game back from a hamstring injury.

“I’m starting to run out the games a lot better now,” Blakely said.

“It takes a bit of time getting used to the intensity and the pace of the game and just the physicality of it all but I think I’m starting to run it out a lot better.

“I’m pretty happy with how I’m going and continuing to improve and grow and play my role, that’s all I can do.”