FREMANTLE has secured its first-ever win in Queensland and their third win on the trot, beating Carlton in a thriller by seven points in the Blues ‘home’ game at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

Carlton threw everything at Fremantle in the final term, including a magnificent hanger and goal to star full-forward Brendan Fevola, but they couldn’t muster the two goals needed to snatch victory, with the visitors running out 13.10 (88) to 11.15 (81) winners.

Fremantle looked completely at home in their first-ever game at Carrara, Aaron Sandilands starring in the ruck with 42 hit-outs, 25 disposals, seven marks and a goal.

Paul Hasleby backed up last week’s awesome display in the derby with another 32 touches, setting up Fremantle’s victory in the first half.

A big contingent of Blues fans at Carrara held their breath as Fevola limped off the ground in the first minute with an apparent injury to his right leg.

He returned at the 10-minute mark but failed to have any significant impact, being well held by Chris Tarrant and spending patches of the game on the bench.

Fremantle were the better side early, with Hasleby, Byron Schammer and Matthew Pavlich providing drive from the centre square.

Hasleby had 12 disposals by quarter-time, while NAB Rising Star nominee Stephen Hill continued his good form, showing pace and class despite copping his share of treatment from the Blues.

Roger Hayden put Fremantle’s first major on the board at the six-minute mark, a goal which should have come in the first minute when Luke McPharlin ran into an open goal before being mown down by a diving Bryce Gibbs.

Carlton kept in touch by sneaking a couple of goals from stoppages to Eddie Betts and Richard Hadley.

Garrick Ibbotson did his best to contain Chris Judd, but the Carlton captain was inspirational, kicking one goal roving at the front of a pack in the first quarter and delivering 14 pin-point disposals in the first half.

Ibbotson wasn’t afraid to run off Judd and compiled 23 disposals of his own in what turned out to be an even match-up.

The game developed into an entertaining shoot-out in the second quarter, with Fremantle responding to everything Carlton threw at them.

The visitors dominated the first half clearances 25-15, staring down the likes of Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens and Gibbs in the centre square.

Two goals in five minutes to Schammer midway through the second term gave the visitors a 13-point advantage.

With Fevola and Cameron Cloke barely touching the ball, Jarrad Waite became Carlton’s main forward option, booting three goals in the second quarter.

Sandilands was dominating the ruck contests against Matthew Kreuzer, and his tap down to Hill, who swept onto his left foot for a goal early in the second term, shot Fremantle 15 points clear.

The momentum shifted back to Carlton after Murphy goalled from a 50-metre penalty after Sandilands didn’t throw the ball back properly following a free kick.

The ruck giant made amends with a towering mark and goal late in the term while a dazzling running goal to Scott Thornton helped Fremantle take a 13-point lead into the main break. Twelve goals were kicked in the second term alone.

Carlton dominated possession after half time, but couldn’t convert their forward thrusts into goals, booting five straight behinds in quick succession.

Dean Solomon roved the pack for a crumbing goal soon after with a snap that would have crushed Carlton’s spirits.

When Sandilands did the roving to set up David Mundy’s second goal, Fremantle were 21 points clear and seemed to have repelled the Blues’ best efforts.

Fremantle debutant Luke Pratt gifted a goal to fellow first-gamer Chris Yarran in the goalsquare to allow the Blues to draw within 15 points at the final change.

While a Ryan Murphy dead-eye shot from the boundary early in the final term seemed to cement the result, Fevola’s mark and goal, along with Aaron Joseph’s snap at the 23-minute mark, made the margin just nine points.

With the mostly pro-Carlton crowd in full voice, Jordan Russell had a shot for goal which sailed through the uprights but was touched on the mark.

The ball stayed locked in Carlton’s forward line for the next two minutes until the final siren brought a sigh of relief for Fremantle fans.

With a 3-4 record, Fremantle take on reigning premiers Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval next Friday night.

Fremantle    3.4    10.5    12.7    13.10 (88)
Carlton         3.2    8.4      9.10    11.15 (81)
 
GOALS
Fremantle: Schammer, Mundy, Murphy 2, Solomon, Peake, Thornton, Sandilands, McPharlin, Hayden, Hill
Carlton: Waite 3, Cloke, Betts, Judd, Murphy, Hadley, Yarran, Joseph, Fevola
 
BEST
Fremantle: Hasleby, Sandilands, Schammer, Mundy, Ibbotson, Thornton
Carlton: Judd, Murphy, Scotland, Kreuzer, Waite, Gibbs

INJURIES
Fremantle: None
Carlton: None

Reports: Byron Schammer (Fremantle) in the fourth quarter for striking Marc Murphy (Carlton) by umpire McBurney.

Umpires: McBurney, Nicholls, Millison

Official crowd: 10,294 at Gold Coast Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.