Fremantle star David Mundy booted a clutch 50m goal in the final minute to lift the Freo Dockers to a gripping four-point win over an inaccurate Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
In a battle between two sides expected to feature deep into September, Fremantle snuck over the line 12.10 (82) to 10.18 (78) despite trailing for most of the match.
A kick-in by Bachar Houli in the dying stages – after Tommy Sheridan's long-range miss – went straight down the centre corridor and into the hands of Garrick Ibbotson who showed great composure to get it to Mundy 45m out directly in front.
He was cool, calm and collected as he lined up a set shot with the seconds counting down, and split the middle to put the Freo Dockers ahead for the first time since midway through the second quarter.
Freo desperately held on for their 14th win for the season, maintaining their stranglehold on top spot – two wins clear of Hawthorn - and Ross Lyon's men remain on track for a top-two finish for the first time in club history.
But Lyon was realistic that his side still has areas for improvement.
"[I] compliment our players on their effort but not their method," he said.
"The reason we were under pressure was some horrendous ball use. At times it was their pressure but our ball use was just bottom end, really poor."
The last two minutes
The Tigers led by 12 points early in the final term, but missed shots late by skipper Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt came back to bite.
From two goals down in the last term, Freo did as they had all match by fighting back with a controversial free kick and goal to Pavlich, followed by a soccered major from Michael Barlow which reduced the margin to just a point at the eight-minute mark.
When Tigers youngster Ben Lennon showed nerves of steel to boot his second major at the 11-minute mark the Tigers re-opened the edge they held for most of the match.
But Fremantle kept on coming, with Mundy (28 disposals) capping an outstanding game, while other big-bodied midfielders Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe also willed Freo home.
Skipper Matthew Pavlich (three goals) recaptured some of his best form, while Stephen Hill never stopped running.
Brandon Ellis (31) was tireless for Richmond, while 200-gamer Troy Chaplin (23) and Cotchin (24) were influential.
When the teams met in round nine, the Tigers blew Freo away with an eight-goal first quarter.
But Ross Lyon's men refused to let the Tigers off the leash in the rematch.
Pav steals and snaps
Scores were level at quarter-time, with Richmond failing to capitalise after having the better of the opening stages.
The contest opened up somewhat in the second stanza, with Richmond breaking away to a game-high 13-point lead through Kamdyn McIntosh and Ivan Maric.
But Pavlich again bobbed up with a soccered goal, Chris Mayne was gifted a 50m penalty against Dustin Martin for his first and Hayden Crozier banged through the Freo Dockers' fifth from a free kick to put his side in front.
Freo started to take full toll from giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands' centre hit-outs, but the lead changed hands for the third time for the quarter when Maric banged through his second.
It stemmed the Freo Dockers' momentum only momentarily, with Matt Taberner leaping high to mark on his chest and kick a team-lifting goal on the half-time siren as Freo went into the rooms down by just two points.
Richmond lost Shaun Hampson to an ankle injury after half-time, with the ruckman subbed out of the match, which allowed Sandilands to get on top in the middle to help ignite Freos' come-from-behind victory.
RICHMOND 1.4 5.8 8.14 10.18 (78)
FREMANTLE 1.4 5.6 8.9 12.10 (82)
GOALS
Richmond: Maric 2, Newman 2, Lennon 2, McIntosh, Riewoldt, Deledio, Lloyd
Fremantle: Pavlich 3, Crozier 2, Mayne, Taberner, Sheridan, Fyfe, Hill, Barlow, Mundy
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Ellis, Chaplin, Rance, Maric, Miles
Fremantle: Barlow, Pearce, Fyfe, Mundy, Hill, Sheridan
INJURIES
Richmond: Hampson (ankle)
Fremantle: Clancee Pearce (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Sam Lloyd replaced Shaun Hampson at half-time
Fremantle: Matt DeBoer replaced Matt Taberner in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, McInerney, Mitchell
Official crowd: 39,777 at the MCG
