Fremantle have lost a game after the siren for the first time in club history as Carlton won a 40-36 thriller at Optus Stadium in controversial circumstances.
Having been the recipient of a contentious down-field free kick as the siren sounded on Saturday night, Carlton’s Jack Newnes made himself an instant hero with a remarkable goal to secure a stunning four-point victory over Fremantle.
Pressed deep against the boundary fence, Newnes' 45m set shot drew back to perfection, sparking wild scenes of celebration as the Blues plucked victory from the jaws of defeat to win 5.10 (40) to 5.6 (36).
It was the first time Carlton had led since the opening seconds of a slog in wet conditions at Optus Stadium, helping David Teague's side keep its otherwise fading finals hopes alive.
Defender Luke Ryan was again outstanding for Fremantle (24 disposals, 14 intercepts) and fellow back Brennan Cox stood tall spoiling plenty of Carlton’s advances.
Forward Matt Taberner kept his goal-scoring run alive with three majors to bring his season total to 21.
Ed Curnow (33 disposals, nine clearances) and Sam Walsh (25 disposals, one goal) had dragged the Blues back into the contest after a slow start saw them go 36 minutes without a goal to begin the match.
They then pegged the deficit back to just two points at the final change, but wasted a series of chances in the dying stages before Newnes' incredible set-shot eventually sailed through as time expired.
Fremantle, having led by 19 points at quarter-time, had battened down the hatches manfully until that point. Luke Ryan (24 disposals, five marks) was heroic in repelling a series of Carlton attacks throughout the second half.
But a costly deliberate call against Matt Taberner was compounded by a controversial down-field free kick against Andrew Brayshaw as the dam wall eventually broke at the death.
FREMANTLE 3.2 4.3 5.4 5.6 (36)
CARLTON 0.1 2.3 4.8 5.10 (40)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 3, Frederick, Lobb
Carlton: Casboult, Cottrell, Walsh, McKay, Newnes
BEST
Fremantle: Ryan, Fyfe, Taberner, Cerra, Brayshaw, Mundy
Carlton: Curnow, Cripps, Walsh, Docherty, Murphy, Setterfield
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Carlton: Nil
