Coach Justin Longmuir says nothing changes for Fremantle despite claiming fourth spot and revelling in another great escape.
Dockers skipper Alex Pearce took a soaring pack mark and goaled with less than a minute remaining, giving his side a precious 13.14 (92) to 13.8 (86) victory against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
The skipper, who had played just once in the past 10 weeks because of shin hot spots, took a spectacular high mark in a pack of players and converted from 30 metres.
ALEX PEARCE KICKS THE WINNER FOR THE DOCKERS 🤯#AFLPowerFreo pic.twitter.com/KRSJNj953g
— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2025
"That's a set play for us, where one of our tall backs goes forward," Longmuir said.
"You try and get a mismatch and he had a mismatch - it's still an incredible mark.
"Really proud of him for that moment.
"But that moment is, like I said to the players after the game, a sign of how hard he's worked in rehab to be able to still have that run in his legs to get forward and launch at a ball like that.
"It's a credit to the way he's handled the last six weeks and it was a nice moment, one that was well needed."
"He's been able to execute in pretty critical moment." 🫎
Justin Longmuir spoke post-game on Alex Pearce's game-winning goal. #AFLPowerFreo pic.twitter.com/gyJuuRAXOC
— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2025
The Dockers slipped 14 points down early in the last quarter but scored four of the last five goals for a crucial victory.
Freo (60 points) are equal on points with Geelong (second), Collingwood (third) and ladder-leaders Adelaide who beat West Coast by nine points on Sunday.
Steve Larkin - AAP
