A HELLISH week for Fremantle has at least ended on a high note, but not without a scare from St Kilda at Optus Stadium.
In a contest that never reached any great heights, the Dockers staved off a spirited St Kilda fightback and won 13.11 (89) to 8.11 (59), giving their fans something to cheer about after a controversial period in the club's history.
DOCKERS BOUNCE BACK: Full match coverage and stats
All eyes were on Freo's players after a nightmare week, when the club was forced to publicly back coach Ross Lyon and attracted more unwanted headlines after Bradley Hill's disastrously timed brush with police at a nightspot last Sunday.
The Dockers would have been grateful to get back to football at their new fortress, and facing a Saints side utterly bereft of confidence – in the first half at least - was the perfect tonic.
Fremantle dominated the sloppy visitors early and carved up Alan Richardson's men, whose 1.5 (11) was the club's worst opening half since 2002.
Led by superstar Nat Fyfe (36 disposals 13 clearances), who probably pocketed three Brownlow Medal votes for the fifth time in 2018, and giant Aaron Sandilands (41 hit-outs), the Dockers commanded stoppages (39-29) and inside 50s (57-46) on the way to victory.
WATCH: Dockers go coast to coast
Lyon lauded his senior players - including Lachie Neale, David Mundy and Alex Pearce – for ensuring the Dockers weren't derailed as the club works through off-field events.
"It has been a challenging week," Lyon said post-match.
"The president, myself and the CEO spoke to what sort of footy club we want to be and how we want to go about it, and that positive experience.
"Obviously, game day is a part of it but winning doesn't paper over everything, so we've still got a bit to work through, and we feel like we're doing that.
"But for a player group to stay focused and be well led is an important aspect."
Lyon's men motored to a game-high 43-point break early in the third stanza but, with his side under the pump, Richardson coached from the bench and it seemed to inspire his troops.
St Kilda hadn't even kicked more than 10 goals in a game since round one – the last time they tasted victory – but suddenly sprang to life with a blistering six-goal-to-two term.
The Saints were close enough if good enough down by just 14 at the final change, but woeful inaccuracy again came back to haunt them.
Tim Membrey (1.5) was the main culprit, pushing two straightforward set shots wide when the Dockers were on the back foot, taking his tally to 6.12 this season.
"Tim’s, historically for us, been as good a kick as we’ve had," Richardson said post-match.
"He’s having some issues with his set shots there’s no doubt about that. He’s an outstanding contest player Tim, he’ll work through this.
"He’s hurting, we’re hurting. They are opportunities he’d normally nail. No one works harder on their skill, his is marking and kicking and leading.
"He’s a real pro so that will turn."
Late goals to Darcy Tucker and Brandon Matera snuffed out the Saints' fightback, as Freo squared the ledger at 4-4 for the season and remained undefeated by an interstate side at Optus Stadium.
FYFE DOES IT ALL: Five talking points
The Dockers are still in touch with the top eight ahead of a potentially season-defining stretch against Sydney, North Melbourne, Collingwood and Adelaide.
But the Saints have soul-searching to do, sitting 16th on the ladder with one win and a draw ahead of an extremely tough month.
Sometimes hitting the road can be the circuit-breaker, but it wasn't on Saturday night.
With Paddy McCartin worryingly sidelined by his seventh concussion, St Kilda sorely lacked any sort of threatening target in attack.
The Saints' best player Jake Carlisle, who took five intercept marks in the first quarter, had to be thrown forward in the second term.
But it was a short-lived experiment, with Carlisle copping a knee to the head from Fyfe which ended his night.
WATCH: Carlisle concussed
The incident and Fyfe's incidental head clash in a bump with Seb Ross in the third term might be scrutinised by Match Review Officer Michael Christian, although it would surprise if the 2015 Brownlow medallist had a case to answer.
With his club under pressure, Fyfe stepped up again, while sidekick Lachie Neale (32 possessions, nine clearances) was also superb and Ed Langdon (33) continued his purple patch.
Luke Ryan (27) provided valuable run from defence, especially with damaging half-backs Stephen Hill and Nathan Wilson sidelined, while youngsters Adam Cerra (two goals) and Andrew Brayshaw (16 disposals) impressed again.
The Saints didn't have anywhere enough four-quarter performers, however Jack Steven (23) tried hard against Bailey Banfield's tag, while debutant Ed Phillips (24) showed some good signs alongside hard-working Jimmy Webster (31) and Luke Dunstan (26).
WATCH: It's Tucker time
MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: The Dockers lost Stephen Hill to quad tightness before the match, with the classy half-back failing to overcome the issue from last round's loss to Richmond. Hayden Ballantyne suffered a corked thigh but it doesn't appear anything major.
St Kilda: The Saints' best player Jake Carlisle had his night ended early in the second quarter after he was collected on the side of the head by Nat Fyfe's knee.
NEXT UP
The Dockers hit the road to face the Swans at the SCG, where they haven’t won since 2011, while St Kilda returns home to Etihad Stadium and take on in-form Collingwood to kick-off a tough month.
WATCH: Fyfe and Ross clash heads
FREMANTLE 3.2 7.5 9.9 13.11 (89)
ST KILDA 1.2 1.5 7.7 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Fremantle: Cerra 2, Matera 2, Ballantyne, D.Pearce, Fyfe, Mundy, Tucker, McCarthy, Neale, Sandilands, Cox
St Kilda: Gresham 2, Hickey, Steven, Gilbert, Geary, Newnes, Membrey
BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Langdon, Sandilands, Neale, Blakely, Mundy
St Kilda: Webster, Dunstan, Steven, Ross, Acres, Phillips
INJURIES
Fremantle: S.Hill (quad) replaced in selected side by Nyhuis, Ballantyne (corked thigh)
St Kilda: Carlisle (concussion)
Umpires: Hay, Gianfagna, Mollison
Crowd: 41,752 at Optus Stadium
