Fremantle has overcome injuries to skipper Matthew Pavlich and clever forward Michael Walters to defeat Melbourne by 68 points at the MCG on Sunday.
The win put the undefeated Freo Dockers one game clear on the top of the ladder after five rounds.
Freo won 18.10 (118) to 6.14 (50) after using the ball far more effectively after half-time.
They kicked seven goals to none in the final quarter to dominate the Demons.
Goals galore, as midfield makes mark on scoreboard
Walters' injury occurred before quarter-time when he accidently ran into Lynden Dunn as he hunted the ball and then Pavlich clashed heads with Demons defender Colin Garland after marking just before half-time.
Melbourne also lost promising defender Christian Salem to concussion at half-time after Freo forward Matt Taberner cannoned into him just before the long break.
Freo's usual suspects dominated possession in the midfield, with Nat Fyfe (30 disposals), Michael Barlow (32), Lachie Neale (25) and David Mundy (28) able overwhelm the Demons at stoppages.
Danyle Pearce was also impressive with two goals, 22 disposals and nine inside 50s.
The Freo Dockers recorded 59 inside 50s to Melbourne's 39 but performed the basic skills much better after half-time to stretch the margin from 20 points to 68 points.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he was really pleased with the fast start and despite a few errors his team did the job he expected.
"[It was a] dominant midfield performance, plenty of opportunities and I thought all divisions played their part," Lyon said.
"I felt we should have been further ahead. I was a little bit frustrated. [In the] third quarter we had 16 entries and just slaughtered the ball a little bit and if you take away a 50, free kick off the ball and a slip over, they're probably three less goals."
Fyfe didn't do his reputation any harm with his usual bullocking, brilliant performance although he spent significant time up forward.
In Pavlich's absence, Chris Mayne stepped up with 12 tackles overall, kicking three goals (he finished with four) and taking four marks in the third quarter when he was most needed.
At the other end, the experienced Luke McPharlin defeated Jesse Hogan comprehensively and seemed to unsettle the young forward at times.
Gutsy win over Melbourne: McPharlin
Freo's early dominance around the stoppages upset Demons' coach Paul Roos, who gave his team a fearful burst at the first break.
The obvious conclusion was that he wasn't happy with the pressure being applied at the contest, and given the Demons had conceded the first four goals of the game his displeasure was reasonable.
The Demons responded with an excellent second quarter, only losing the term by one point and breaking even in the clearances.
At times they moved the ball with dare and looked an improved side despite not yet being in Fremantle's class.
MELBOURNE 2.2 5.4 6.8 6.14 (50)
FREMANTLE 5.3 8.6 11.8 18.10 (118)
GOALS
Melbourne: Garlett 3, Hogan, vandenBerg, Brayshaw
Fremantle: Mayne 4, D Pearce 2, Suban 2, Neale 2, Taberner 2, Mundy 2, Hill, de Boer, Fyfe, Sandilands,
BEST
Melbourne: Brayshaw, McDonald, Grimes, Garlett, Cross
Fremantle: Fyfe, Mayne, Barlow, McPharlin, Neale, C Pearce, Mundy, Suban
INJURIES
Melbourne: Salem (suspected concussion)
Fremantle: Walters (concussion), Pavlich (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie replaced Christian Salem (concussion) in the third quarter
Fremantle: Matt De Boer replaced Michael Walters (concussion) in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Ryan, Pannell
Official crowd: 22,892 at the MCG
