MELBOURNE has suffered a six-point loss to Fremantle, with an after-the-siren goal Docker Aisling McCarthy pushing the home side to victory.
McCarthy was awarded a free kick inside 50 moments before the siren sounded at Fremantle Oval and lined up from 30m on the angle with scores level.
The goal prompted wild celebrations after the Dockers came from 18 points down at three-quarter time to win 7.5 (47) to 6.5 (41) with the aid of a fourth-quarter breeze.
It was heartbreak for the Demons, who had appeared on track to steady their season at 2-2 after playing the better football for three quarters.
Talented midfielder Eliza McNamara (30 disposals) was supreme for the Demons, while Sinead Goldrick (21 and a goal) was prominent when the team had momentum.
The Demons' goalkicking radar was finely tuned in the first quarter, kicking four of the first five goals as they dominated possession and forward entries and took control of a strong breeze.
They neutralised the Dockers' clearance strength and linked up expertly through the midfield with quick handballs that caught their opponents on the back foot, establishing a 17-point lead at the first break.
It was Freo's turn to take advantage of the conditions in the second term, but they couldn't play with the same efficiency as Tighe's absence inside 50 became more apparent.
Georgia Gall extended the Demons' lead to 22 points with an early goal from a set shot before the Dockers kicked 0.4, finally breaking through for a goal when O'Sullivan was rewarded a holding the ball free kick inside 50 with three seconds to play in the half.
Another free kick inside 50 for Sullivan to start the second half made it back-to-back goals for Fremantle as it tried to work back into the game and pressed forward more frequently.
Again, however, the polish going inside 50 was poor and the Dockers were left further behind when Goldrick earned a free kick for a dangerous tackle against Dana East and a 50m penalty was paid for breaching the protected area.
It left Melbourne 18 points clear at the last change, which looked likely to be a big enough buffer to hold off Fremantle, but the home side flicked into a more attacking mode and secured a memorable win.
Dockers sweat on Tighe injury
Fremantle star Aine Tighe was sent for scans during Saturday's clash after going down innocuously during the first quarter with an apparent knee injury. The tall forward, who was crucial to the Dockers' comeback win against Port Adelaide last week, suffered back-to-back ACL injuries before making her 2022 debut, and would be a significant loss if she has suffered another long-term setback. The Irish forward's absence on Saturday became immediately apparent as the Dockers' struggled to hit forward targets early, looking for other ways to kick goals.
FREMANTLE 1.1 2.5 3.5 7.5 (47)
MELBOURNE 4.0 5.1 6.5 6.5 (41)
GOALS
Fremantle: O'Sullivan 3, Antonio, Biedenweg-Webster, McCarthy, Miller
Melbourne: Bannan, Gall, Goldrick, Hanks, Hore, Zanker
BEST
Fremantle: O'Sullivan, Miller, Strom, O'Driscoll, Newton, McCarthy
Melbourne: McNamara, Goldrick, Hore, Hanks, Chaplin
INJURIES
Fremantle: Tighe (knee)
Melbourne: Mackin (calf)
LATE CHANGES
Fremantle: Nil
Melbourne: Grace Beasley (knee) replaced in selected side by Grace Hill
Crowd: TBC at Fremantle Oval
