Round 22, 2012 will be looked back on as a coming of age for the Fremantle Dockers as they defeated North Melbourne in Melbourne for the first time since 2003.

Fremantle’s chances of winning the clash at Etihad Stadium were dampened less than an hour before the first bounce, when Matthew Pavlich was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury and was replaced by Zac Clarke.

Fremantle had not won without their captain since 2008, and were expected to struggle against a North Melbourne side who had won nine of their past 10 games leading into the match.

North Melbourne and Fremantle entered the game in sixth and eighth position respectively, and if Fremantle had ambitions of making their fourth finals series then a win over the Kangaroos was a must.

Fremantle on-baller David Mundy said the side embraced the challenge North Melbourne presented just a fortnight out from what would prove to be a memorable fourth finals campaign.

“Going into each week we try to keep it level and even as possible and our preparation doesn’t really change,” he said.

“Albeit, we fully understood at the time what challenge North Melbourne were going to be, especially at Etihad Stadium where they play quite well.

“We were quite confident with how we were going, and understood our game plan stood up so it was a matter of executing it.”

With Pavlich missing, the onus was on Fremantle’s leaders to step up in their captain’s absence, as well as the rest of the forward line to kick a winning score.

Mundy conceded Pavlich was a big omission from the side, but said the playing group had the confidence in each other to perform their roles, and ultimately get the victory.

“It was obviously a terrific step forward at the time, but not one that was of great surprise to the group,” he said.

“Obviously Matthew going down wasn’t ideal, but we had full confidence that the next guy coming in was playing his role for the team.”

When Jamie MacMillan kicked the first goal just a few minutes into the game, it looked as though Fremantle would have their work cut out to defy recent history.

Fremantle kicked four goals in a row after conceding the first major, and held a 19-point lead during the second term, only for the Kangaroos to whittle away the margin to nine points at the main break.

Fremantle had not lost a game in 2012 when they led at half time, and when North Melbourne hit the front in the third term it looked as though that was about to change.

However, an outstanding 10 minute burst in the final term, where Fremantle kicked seven goals, saw them win the game comfortably 20.12 (132) to 12.7 (79).

Fremantle sealed their spot in the finals, and jumped in front of the Kangaroos to seventh spot, a position they retained on the final ladder a week later.  

Mundy, who gathered 28 disposals and kicked two goals as well as picking up three Brownlow Medal votes on the day, said it was a “special” win to be a part of.

“It’s always nice to get a bit of the ball and kick a few goals, but what is more important is how the team functions,” he said.

“It’s not all about touches, it’s about impact and playing the role.”

Match Centre: North Melbourne v Fremantle - Round 22, 2012

Fremantle return to Melbourne this weekend to take on North Melbourne at Etihad for the first time since the 2012 encounter, and Mundy said the side would have their work cut out to bounce back from last week’s loss to West Coast.

“Not much really has changed to be honest, we understand they are a very dangerous side and can score quickly and heavily,” he said.

“North Melbourne play the ground really well and have played there quite often.

“The midfield battle will be important, and obviously Todd Goldstein is in absolutely ripping form at the moment, so Aaron [Sandilands] and Jon Griffin or Zac Clarke, whoever plays, is going to have their hands full.”

Fremantle finished the 2012 season with a win over Melbourne at Domain Stadium a week after the win over North Melbourne, before they knocked out Geelong in an Elimination Final at the MCG in the first week of the finals series.

Mundy said the win over North Melbourne and Geelong a fortnight later laid the platform for the top four finishes Fremantle had in the past two seasons.

“It was a fairly positive season, in that we managed to get back to the finals,” he said.

“The first half of 2012 was a little bit disappointing, we were a little bit slow to get going.

“To cap off the year with a really healthy win against still a very good Geelong side at the MCG in a pretty big final really gave the group and the coaching staff belief that we had the right plan and right people at the head steering the ship.”