FREMANTLE has produced a devastating nine-goal run to snatch fourth spot away from a gallant Port Adelaide with an eight-point win at Patersons Stadium on Saturday.
The Dockers trailed by 12 points at the six-minute mark of the third term before piling on nine consecutive goals to lead by 38 points 12 minutes into the last quarter.
Port Adelaide threatened to steal it late, kicking five unanswered goals as the Dockers ran out of interchanges with three minutes to play.
Their leading possession winners, Lachie Neale (34 disposals) and Michael Barlow (27 touches), were stuck on the bench with Zac Clarke but the Dockers held on for a 16.9 (105) to 14.13 (97) win.
Hayden Ballantyne kicked four second-half goals after just four touches in the first half. Michael Walters bagged three goals and had a hand in several others while Chris Mayne kicked two and laid two goal-saving tackles in defense.
Port Adelaide missed golden opportunities during the Dockers’ nine-goal run that would have kept the Power in touch.
Robbie Gray gathered 33 touches but kicked 2.3 while Chad Wingard and Hamish Hartlett kicked 2.2 each but both drifted in and out of the game.
Jay Schulz could hold his head high after kicking six goals in a superb display.
While Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said the club "didn't handle the intense pressure at the right times", he was pleased with their preparation heading into September.
"I thought the boys were outstanding," Hinkley said.
"I thought we showed that we were worthy of playing against one of the good sides in the comp.
"Today is perfect preparation, we can take a lot away from today.
"I would say right now we are playing as good a footy as we have played all year."
The opening term was a physical arm-wrestle with neither side giving an inch as Matt Taberner kicked two goals for the term and Neale racked up 13 touches for the quarter.
Port Adelaide was more dominant in clearances but could not convert that advantage on the scoreboard, with scores level at the first change.
The second term belonged to Wingard and Gray. Wingard gathered nine touches for the quarter and kicked two goals, including a freakish checkside from the boundary on the run. Gray ran riot with 11 possessions through the midfield but missed two sitters in front of goal.
The Dockers hung tough as coach Ross Lyon moved Matthew Pavlich and Taberner to the centre square. Taberner had a chance on the half-time siren to reclaim the lead but missed the set-shot following his third contested mark to leave the Dockers one point down at half-time.
Port Adelaide kicked the first two goals of the second half before Fremantle clicked into gear to secure the double chance.
The Dockers will now face either the Sydney Swans or Hawthorn away from home in the first week of finals. Freo finished the season on 16 wins, equal with last year’s Grand Final campaign.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon was proud of his team's season.
"Sixteen wins is a pretty significant effort," Lyon said.
"We're pleased. It's a tough competition. You've got to go to the end, that's fine. It's a great lead in to next week."
Port Adelaide, which has likely secured fifth place, will play either Richmond, West Coast or Adelaide at home.
Port finishes on 14 wins, two more than last year.
Jasper Pittard tries to smother a kick from Freo midfielder Paul Duffield. Picture: Will Russell, AFL Media.
FREMANTLE 3.3 7.5 13.8 16.9 (105)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.3 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, Walters 3, Taberner, Mayne, Pavlich 2, Mzungu, Mundy, Sutcliffe
Port Adelaide: Schulz 6, Gray, Hartlett, Wingard 2, White, Westhoff
BEST
Fremantle: Neale, Ibbotson, Pavlich, Barlow, Sandilands, Ballantyne, Walters
Port Adelaide: Schulz, Gray, Ebert, Cornes, Wingard, Hartlett
INJURIES
Fremantle: Alex Silvagni replaced in selected side by Garrick Ibbotson
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Hayden Crozier replaced Nick Suban in the third quarter
Port Adelaide: Angus Monfries replaced Matt White at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Nicholls, Meredith
