FREMANTLE has broken Collingwood hearts for a second straight year with a thrilling 12-point win at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.
DOCKERS STUN PIES Full match coverage and stats
It was Michael Walters who stepped up with 30 seconds left in 2019, but with the star unavailable it was left to veteran David Mundy to plunge the dagger with a goal after the siren.
>> WATCH THE LAST TWO MINUTES IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
In a battle of master against protégé, it was first-year Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir who outfoxed his former mentor Nathan Buckley, taking home the 10.1 (61) to 7.7 (49) victory.
Longmuir's Dockers took a strangle hold in a 'keepings off' game early, biding their time until the Magpies eventually made mistakes.
Freo's pressure was immense at ground level and the Dockers finished their work with speed and class whenever they forced Collingwood to turn the ball over.
The Magpies found themselves 14 points down halfway through the third term, but kept applying the pressure to find a three-goal swing to head into the final quarter with a four-point lead.
When Brodie Grundy got on top in the ruck and Collingwood's defence started to take control in the air, Longmuir switched Sean Darcy to the forward line and Rory Lobb into the ruck, where the former Giant had an immediate impact immediately.
First-year midfielder Caleb Serong was a shining light again for the Dockers with 24 disposals and nine clearances, while Nat Fyfe was strong with 24 disposals and a goal in his return match.
Brayden Maynard (11 intercept possessions) and Darcy Moore (13 intercept possessions) patrolled the skies, but Freo forward Matt Taberner was again outstanding and slotted four goals.
The Dockers will have an eight-day break with the bye before they face Hawthorn, while the Magpies travel to Queensland to take on Sydney on Thursday.
THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?
Peaks and troughs in Sidebottom's return
Steele Sidebottom returned from his four-match sanction for breaking the AFL's COVID-19 protocols, but it took time for the midfielder to find his footing. Reece Conca was assigned to keep Sidebottom quiet, and with just one touch in the second quarter it looked like Sidebottom was destined for a dirty day. However, when the Magpies found themselves in trouble in the third and fourth quarters, it was Sidebottom who hit the scoreboard and completely lifted his teammates.
No score, a first-quarter loss, but a coaching win
Fremantle finished the first quarter with zero points, but it was an absolute win for Dockers coach Justin Longmuir. The Magpies have won more first quarters than any other team in the league, but managed just one goal from 12 inside 50s. The undermanned Dockers repelled at every opportunity and waited for the right time to strike on the counterattack. Ethan Hughes led the 'keepings off' game style for the Dockers with 12 disposals in the first term. The opening quarter gave the Dockers the confidence to not just be competitive, but to own the game.
All Australian hopeful gets the points in battle of the stars
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe had Jack Crisp hanging beside him around the midfield, but the real battle was when the Dockers superstar moved forward. Darcy Moore took Fyfe when he rested deep and the mouth-watering match-up delivered instantly. Fyfe had the ball running into an open goal but fumbled under intense pressure from Moore. The Collingwood defender followed up multiple times and eventually out sped the dual Brownlow medalist to win the ball back and take the points in an outstanding play.
FREMANTLE 0.0 4.1 6.1 10.1 (61)
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 2.4 6.5 7.7 (49)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 4, Schulz 2, Crowden 2, Fyfe, Mundy
Collingwood: Sidebottom 2, Mihocek, Sier, Grundy, Hoskin-Elliott, Stephenson
BEST
Fremantle: Serong, Mundy, Ryan, Taberner, Fyfe, Blakely
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Grundy, Noble, Maynard, Moore, Treloar
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
