FREMANTLE has sent Matthew Pavlich out in superb style with a gritty 20-point upset over the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium

The Dockers out-willed the Bulldogs to send their greatest ever player out with a victory in his 353rd and final AFL game, winning 10.9 (69) to 6.13 (49).

Full match coverage and stats

The loss does not have any implications for the Bulldogs. They were consigned to a seventh-place finish and an elimination final against West Coast after Hawthorn's win over Collingwood was confirmed at half-time. 

But the Bulldogs will be concerned by their horrific ball use, kicking at 46 per cent for the match. The Dockers' pressure was outstanding all day but it will go up a notch in September. 

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his team can't ignore the result.

"There was a bit to play for," Beveridge said.

"We still wanted to finish the home and away season on a positive note, but nothing went right unfortunately.

"There was just too many skill errors and our energy wasn't where it normally is and we are going to need a significant correction to be any sort of force in the upcoming finals series."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was delighted with his side's effort.

"I was really pleased, the emotional hook for Matthew was really important for us," Lyon said.

"We come off a bad 30-40 minutes against a team that is going to a super team, that is a super team in GWS.

"We acknowledged it. It was a flat meeting early in the week, but they wanted, they committed, they the players, wanted to come and play and committed to play with passion and hardness at the ball for four quarters."

The day was all about Pavlich. He walked through a guard of honour featuring some former teammates pre-game. The crowd only had to wait 14 minutes in the opening term for another milestone when he was on the end a neat chain of handballs to run into an open goal for his 700th career major. Every Docker on the ground ran to celebrate with him. 

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He had a chance to seal the match and his career with a late goal but he missed two straightforward set shots in the last quarter.

There were hugs for Pavlich post-match and another guard of honour, as he was carried from the ground by David Mundy and Alex Silvagni following a lap of honour. There were also quiet hugs for Hayden Ballantyne and Chris Mayne who could also have played their last games for the Dockers. 

'Pav's legend to grow over time', Lyon says

His teammates were outstanding to set up the win. Lachie Neale was excellent all day in the midfield with 36 disposals - 19 contested - and he feasted on some great service from Aaron Sandilands. Youngsters Lachie Weller and Darcy Tucker gave the Dockers a glimpse of the future with great run and carry all day. The defence stood firm led by the impenetrable Garrick Ibbotson.

WATCH: Pav says goodbye

Matthew Boyd stood tall down back for the Bulldogs with 35 disposals. Luke Dahlhaus and Liam Picken fought hard though the middle. Tory Dickson was one of the few Bulldogs to take his chances in front of goal with three majors. Marcus Bontempelli had 27 disposals but had his effectiveness quelled somewhat by Tommy Sheridan.

The Dockers kept their noses in front all day on the back of a four-goal to two opening term. They matched the Bulldogs around the contest and never relented. The home side lifted an extra cog in the last quarter with 15 inside 50s to seven. They only converted one of seven scoring opportunities but Shane Yarran's goal was enough to seal the win. 

MEDICAL ROOM

Fremantle: The Dockers escaped without any injury issues. 

Western Bulldogs: Tom Boyd landed awkwardly on his left ankle in the first term and had to be helped off the ground to receive treatment. He came back on and played out the game. Bontempelli had his eye split open in a head clash but came back on.

NEXT UP

Hawthorn's last-gasp win over Collingwood sealed the Bulldogs' fate. They have to head to Perth again in a fortnight to face West Coast in an elimination final. Fremantle's dismal season ends with just four wins but the Dockers' WAFL-affiliate side Peel Thunder host an elimination final next weekend. The 19 Dockers eligible to play in that game will continue to train this week.

Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich says goodbye to the purple army. Picture: AFL Photos

FREMANTLE                        4.1     7.2     9.3      10.9      (69)                  
WESTERN BULLDOGS       2.4     4.9     6.12     6.13     (49)           

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 2, Neale, Pearce, Hill, Mundy, de Boer, Pavlich, Apeness, Yarran
Western Bulldogs: Dickson 3, Smith 2, Dahlhaus 

BEST 
Fremantle: Neale, Ibbotson, Hill, Weller, Tucker, Silvagni
Western Bulldogs: M. Boyd, Picken, Johannisen, Dahlhaus, Bontempelli, Dickson 

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Nil
Western Bulldogs: T. Boyd (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, O’Gorman, Findlay

Official crowd: 34,765 at Domain Stadium