Despite Freo’s 58-point win, the Dockers’ top-four fate still all comes down to next Saturday's final round against Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium. The Dockers (15-6 win-loss) jumped one win clear of the Power (14-7), but with a slightly inferior percentage (0.5 per cent), and they must beat the Power to lock-up fourth spot and a double chance. The match virtually makes it a five-week finals campaign for both teams as they strive to avoid finishing fifth and walking the sudden death tightrope.

Even without two of its prime movers, Fremantle's midfield was too much for the young Lions to handle. Michael Barlow (broken finger) and Nat Fyfe (suspension) will also miss next week's crucial clash against Port Adelaide, but on the evidence at the Gabba, it won't make as much difference as many would have thought. When the game was in dispute in the first quarter, David Mundy (24 disposals, eight clearances and two goals) was brilliant, Tendai Mzungu was his rugged and uncompromising best, Lachie Neale (26 touches) was industrious and Ryan Crowley had the best of Pearce Hanley, keeping him to 20 disposals, and just six kicks and no inside 50s.

 

The first half was difficult to watch for Lions fans as the vaunted Fremantle pressure suffocated their every move. Poor Ryan Harwood looked like a deer in the headlights in the opening half, as three of his turnovers were directly punished for goals. To his credit, he fought back as the game wore on. After one indecisive Jack Crisp handpass 50m out from goal, the Dockers picked up the scraps and ran forward in an almost comical five-on-one fast break against hapless Matt Maguire that ended in a Matt Taverner goal. There were too many handballs to players in worse positions. Freo kicked 6.5 from turnovers in the first half alone and reminded everyone that defensive pressure is their best form of offence.

 

They might have been missing skipper Matthew Pavlich (quad), but for the first time in more than four months, arguably the AFL's best one-two small forward punch was back together and terrorising the Lions. Coming back from suspension, Hayden Ballantyne finished with 3.4 and could have had anything after missing a couple of very gettable first-half shots. And Walters – playing just his second game after a serious ankle injury – continued to get back to his lively best. He had 16 disposals, three goals and two goal assists, and more than once unselfishly looked for Ballantyne when he was within scoring range. Another week together should tune them up nicely for the finals.

 

The Lions vice-captain has had his best season in the AFL and racked up another 45 disposals against the Dockers. Most of his touches were in the back-half – he had just two inside 50s – but again his work-rate was relentless. Rockliff is averaging 32 disposals a game, and while not as damaging as some other midfielders in the competition, his productivity is unquestionable. The 24-year-old also leads the League in tackles with nine a game and has one more chance to remind the All Australian selectors against Geelong next week that he deserves his first selection in the merit team.