FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey has revealed that a surfing movie was the inspiration behind his side’s thrilling seven-point victory over Carlton at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

The playing group watched a movie called Bustin’ down the Door and received an inspirational talk from one of its stars, former world surfing champ Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, on the morning of the game.

“He was absolutely sensational,” Harvey said of Bartholomew.

“Some of the things that he related to, how they went and took on the world at surfing in unfamiliar territory and took on the Hawaiians, there was a lot that we related in what we did here tonight,” Harvey said.

Fremantle had never won in Queensland, while Saturday night was its first-ever game at Carrara.

The visitors were beaten in disposals (397 to 333), inside 50s (58 to 46) and hard ball gets (64 to 48), yet they won the game on the back of greater tenacity and efficiency in front of goal.

Carlton kicked five straight points to start the third quarter, which ultimately proved costly.

“I just think that our composure, our ability and our will to win … we were able to choke them up and not let them back in the game,” Harvey said.

Harvey singled out Chris Tarrant for special praise after he restricted Brendan Fevola to one goal, and lauded the work of Garrick Ibbotson, who had 23 touches playing on Chris Judd for the entire game.

The coach was also glowing in his appraisal of veteran midfielder Paul Hasleby, who had 32 touches in another best-on-ground performance after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year.

“He is actually playing for his life every time he goes out there, and it’s really fascinating to sit back and watch,” Harvey said.

“His demeanour has changed, and his outlook on football and perhaps life, for that matter, has changed. The mindset that he’s playing with … all he wants to do is have an impact on the game.”

Harvey said the absence of a number of key midfielders, including Des Headland, Rhys Palmer and Ryan Crowley, has meant a new group of enthusiastic players are getting their chance to rotate through the engine room.

“They’re enjoying the thrill of the chase playing in the midfield and taking on the challenge of winning stoppages and centre squares,” Harvey said.

“They really love and enjoy going to contests now. I’m seeing a real hunt mentality around the stoppages.”

Fremantle has a six-day break before taking on Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval next Friday night.