Fremantle pull off season-defining result to pip Pies
Down by 22 points early in the final quarter, the Dockers surged home with the last four goals of the game to win 12.7 (79) to 11.12 (78) in a Sunday special.
After ruckman Luke Jackson slotted a long-range set shot to put Fremantle in front, Collingwood star Jamie Elliott had an opportunity to regain the lead with two minutes remaining.
Usually the ultimate clutch player, Elliott missed the shot from 40m out, levelling the game 78-78.
The Dockers were able to force the ball down the other end, with Fremantle ace Shai Bolton awarded a free kick inside 50.
The former Richmond player missed the shot, but it put Fremantle up again by one point.
Collingwood entered inside 50, but Fremantle forward Josh Treacy pushed back to take a game-saving mark in front of the Magpies' goal with just seconds left.
Treacy also received a 50m penalty, giving the Dockers enough of a buffer to hang on for what could be a season-defining win.
The result puts Fremantle into seventh spot, crucially two games clear of the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs.
It was Collingwood's second straight loss, after falling to Gold Coast last week to end their eight-game winning streak.
Fremantle forward Patrick Voss enjoyed a career-best day, finishing with six goals.
Matched up on Darcy Moore, Voss torched the Collingwood captain with three first-quarter goals.
The Magpies moved enforcer Brayden Maynard on to Voss in the second-half, helping curb his influence.
But Fremantle's forwards were starved of opportunities as the Dockers went inside 50 just 40 times to Collingwood's 63.
Fremantle wingman Matthew Johnson awkwardly twisted his foot in a contest with Steele Sidebottom in the final quarter and was assisted from the field by medical staff.
Dockers gun Hayden Young made a successful return from a long-term absence with a hamstring injury, coming on as the sub in the third term.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, who started off half-back, was typically prolific with 43 disposals and a goal.
But Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong went close to him, gathering 37 touches and nine clearances of his own.
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