The Dockers 16.15 (111) defeated the Blues 9.9 (63) to record their third win in succession and their 11th victory of the season. It was also the second time Fremantle has won at Optus Oval, with its only other win coming against the Western Bulldogs in round one 1997.
Up until three quarter-time, the match was an arm wrestle, with the Blues playing some good football to stay in the contest, yet Fremantle blew the game away in the final term, when it booted seven goals to one.
Fremantle's talls were terrific in the victory, with defender Robert Haddrill giving Carlton's Brendan Fevola a day to forget, while at the opposite end, Troy Simmonds was a key focal point for the Dockers, although his kicking did let him down in front of goal.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was particularly impressive, while Justin Longmuir continues to enhance his reputation with another fine performance. The unsung Scott Thornton was also a key player down back.
Usual Fremantle suspects Peter Bell, Matthew Pavlich and Paul Hasleby were again instrumental in the victory.
Carlton skipper Anthony Koutoufides was his side's best, while midfielder Nick Stevens and running half-back Matthew Lappin were also strong performers.
Fremantle started the match strongly, posting three of the opening four goals to gain a 13-point lead. But two late majors from Carlton - including gems from Scott Camporeale and Jarrad Waite - reduced the margin to seven points at quarter-time.
Although the visitors controlled the majority of play and led the way in the key statistic indicators, the Blues showed plenty of grit in an entertaining opening.
The second quarter had a similar feel and this was reflected when Fremantle posted the first two goals to lead by 18 points. And despite losing young forward Brad Fisher with a knee injury, the Blues hit back with two majors to trail by just five points at half-time.
Again, there was a sense of déjà vu in the third quarter, when Fremantle booted the first two goals of the second half. A thumping torpedo from Jeff Farmer and a set-shot from Simmonds gave the Dockers a 19-point lead.
Koutoufides registered Carlton's first at the 13-minute mark and although Fremantle's Justin Longmuir added his second shortly afterwards, the Blues added two more before three quarter-time to trail by just 10 points.
With the final term looming as a fascinating showdown, Fremantle quickly ended any thoughts of a nail-biting finish, when it piled on six unanswered goals to climb out to a 46-point lead. Fevola was his side's lone goalscorer in the final term.
"I thought they were terrific for three quarters," Carlton coach Denis Pagan said of his charges.
"They really played with enormous spirit and enormous passion. They were really hard at it - their attack on the ball couldn't be questioned."
However Pagan admitted that the Blues made too many mistakes, particularly against opposition of Fremantle's class.
"We absolutely butchered the ball. I can probably think of 15 or so disposals that with a bit of composure and a bit of poise could have made a hell of difference, especially coming through the midfield."
"We've got to be better in that area, but that's what happens when you're a young group. Young players make mistakes from referred pressure when they've got time to hang on to (the ball) for an extra step and use it properly."
Carlton: 3.3 5.8 8.8 9.9 (63)
Fremantle: 4.4 6.7 9.12 16.15 (111)
Goals: Carlton: Koutoufides 2, Camporeale, Deluca, Fevola, French, Lappin, McGrath, Waite
Fremantle: Bell 2, Farmer 2, Headland 2, J.Longmuir 2, Medhurst 2, McManus, Pavlich, Sandilands, Siegert, Simmonds, Smith
Best: Carlton: Koutoufides, Stevens, Lappin, Teague, McGrath
Fremantle: Haddrill, Sandilands, Simmonds, J.Longmuir, Thornton, Pavlich, Hasleby, Bell
Injuries: Carlton: Deluca (left shoulder), Fisher (knee), Houlihan (thigh).
Fremantle: Woods (hamstring)
Changes: Carlton Nil
Fremantle: Hayden replaced in selected side by Smith.
Reports: Carlton
Fremantle:
Umpires: Allen, Goldspink, K.Nicholls
Crowd: TBC
