Fremantle has held on for a pressure-relieving victory and kept their finals hopes alive with a one-point win over Sydney at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
In a nailbiting finale to a scrappy contest, Fremantle kicked the final two behinds of the game through Andrew Brayshaw and Ed Langdon to edge ahead with 1.23 remaining on the clock.
Surviving a last-ditch effort by the Swans to steal a match-winner, Freo held on for a gripping 7.10 (52) to 7.9 (51) triumph.
After four-straight losses, Freo had slipped from sixth on the ladder to 13th but are now back up to 10th and within striking distance of Adelaide in eighth spot.
Only 24 hours after fellow recruit Jesse Hogan was ruled out for the season with a navicular setback, Freo big man Rory Lobb swung the contest.
After a quiet start, Lobb kept Fremantle within striking distance at 10 points down with a major just before half-time, before adding another pair immediately after the break to inspire a five-goal unanswered run.
Fremantle seemingly had the match in control when Michael Walters pushed the margin to 13 points a minute into the final term, only for the plucky Swans to mount a comeback.
Sam Reid's third goal and Nick Blakey's major edged the visitors closer and with only 2.29 to play they hit the front after Luke Parker's set shot sailed to the right.
Fittingly for a match that never reached any great heights, it was two more behinds that sealed the deal for Fremantle, which has now matched the eight wins from the past two campaigns.
A week after Lyon called on his side to get tougher, the Dockers rolled up their sleeves and outhunted the Swans, winning contested ball by 30.
Naming three ruckmen against Sydney's undersized pinch-hitters looked a gamble that wasn't going to pay off early but Fremantle's clearance dominance (45-23) eventually told.
In the absence of superstar skipper Nat Fyfe (elbow), stand-in captain David Mundy went to work around the coalface (11 clearances) with strong support from Reece Conca (six, 26 disposals).
Key defender Joel Hamling was a rock down back, recalled youngster Griffin Logue also grabbed his chance, while veteran Aaron Sandilands (14 disposals, 17 hitouts) showed doubts over his career were off the mark after a calf scare during the week.
Swans midfielder Jake Lloyd was outstanding all night, racking up an equal career-best 42 disposals, while fleet-footed Tom Papley (1.3) and Blakely were threatening.
MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: The Dockers seemed to get through unscathed.
Sydney: Big defender Aliir Aliir was vomiting during the first half but returned to the fray. Isaac Heeney limped off midway through the third quarter after appearing to hurt his hip after just getting a kick away, however he was also back soon after.
NEXT UP
The Dockers travel to Marvel Stadium for a tricky encounter against the Western Bulldogs next Sunday, while the Swans welcome the runaway League leaders Geelong at the SCG.
FREMANTLE 1.1 3.6 6.7 7.10 (52)
SYDNEY 1.4 5.4 5.6 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Fremantle: Lobb 3, B.Hill, Conca, Matera, Walters
Sydney: Reid 3, Parker, Papley, Fox, Blakey
BEST
Fremantle: TBC
Sydney: TBC
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Gavine, Harris
Official crowd: 33,594 at Optus Stadium
