Fremantle has climbed into the top eight and set up a blockbuster RAC Derby with its third straight win, notching a 51-point victory against North Melbourne at an empty Optus Stadium.
In a feisty and physical clash that threatened to boil over at times, the Dockers soaked up an early rally from the Kangaroos before taking over with authority and kicking on to win 14.15 (99) to 6.12 (48).
It was the first time the club has won three consecutive matches since round 13, 2019, and the first time under coach Justin Longmuir, giving them momentum ahead of next Sunday's clash against West Coast.
They climbed to eighth on the ladder with their fourth win in five games and will end the round there unless Adelaide beats Hawthorn in Tasmania on Sunday.
The win could come at a cost after valuable defender Brennan Cox suffered an ankle injury when he was caught awkwardly under a tackle from Cam Zurhaar in the final quarter.
David Mundy continued his remarkable early-season form to finish with 30 disposals, eight clearances and three goals. It was his third straight game with more than 25 possessions, six clearances and at least one goal, coinciding with the Dockers' winning run.
He launched the team's second-quarter burst with a delightful stoppage goal, receiving the tap, shaking past two opponents and hurdling over a third to kick the first of four straight goals.
Midfield sidekicks Caleb Serong (35, six clearances and six inside 50s) and Nat Fyfe (34, seven and six) were superb in the midfield, giving the team a 37-26 clearance advantage, while Andrew Brayshaw (30 and four inside 50s) worked through early attention from Kayne Turner.
There was a gulf in skill and organisation between the Dockers and the winless Kangaroos, who turned the ball over far too regularly and at critical times.
While North's effort in what is now a difficult road trip could not be questioned, their focus and organisation – particularly at stoppages – could be.
Captain Jack Ziebell continued to be a key playmaker from the back half for the Kangaroos, finishing with 37 disposals and eight rebound 50s.
Midfielders Ben Cunnington (25 and five clearances) and Jy Simpkin (24 and four) fought hard in the midfield, while first-year onballer Tom Powell showed more glimpses of his talent with 25 disposals – his best return in six games.
Freo put the foot down
The second-quarter burst launched by Mundy was devastating and put the game out of North Melbourne's reach in the space of 13 minutes, when the Dockers turned an eight-point lead into a 35-point break. They won the clearances 14-4 for the term, lead by Mundy, Fyfe and Serong, and turned that into a 17-10 inside-50 advantage. Mundy had 10 touches and five clearances for the term and remains one of the form players of the competition right now with his ability to turn a match with his class and efficiency.
Fyfe goalkicking
The Fremantle skipper was doing everything except kicking goals on Saturday night. He was powerful at stoppages, dangerous bursting forward and creative and composed when setting up teammates. But when he had opportunities to convert he faltered, kicking 0.4 and continuing a trend the dual Brownlow medallist will be desperate to reverse soon. He has now kicked 1.12 this season, and 10 consecutive behinds since his last goal. The Dockers kicked more behinds than goals for the sixth time this season.
FREMANTLE 3.4 7.9 11.13 14.15 (99)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 3.5 5.9 6.12 (48)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 4, Schultz 4, Mundy 3, Colyer, Darcy, Walters
North Melbourne: Stephenson 2, Goldstein, Larkey, Campbell, Phillips
BEST
Fremantle: Mundy, Fyfe, Serong, Schultz, Braysahw, Taberner, Ryan
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Cunnington, Simpkin, Stephenson, Powell
INJURIES
Fremantle: Brennan Cox (ankle), Michael Walters (eye)
North Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTIRUTES
Fremantle: Connor Blakely (replaced Brennan Cox)
North Melbourne: Dom Tyson (unused)
Crowd: No crowd permitted at Optus Stadium
