IT WILL forever be remembered as the Cairns catastrophe.
Melbourne's second loss in five days – this time to a hungrier and smarter Fremantle outfit – plunged the Demons' season into disarray on Monday night.
Despite calls from coach Simon Goodwin for his side to be a "brave footy club" at half-time, the Demons left their run too late in the 6.11 (47) to 4.9 (33) defeat at Cazalys Stadium.
Three-goal Dockers star Michael Walters' clean skills were a cut above in slippery conditions before young gun Adam Cerra delivered the knockout blow with a stunning banana goal in the final term.
It leaves Melbourne needing to win its final two games of the season just to give itself a glimmer of hope before relying on other results.
The Dockers obliterated the Demons with their possession-style game in the opening half and should've been further in front after amassing 59 more uncontested disposals.
Just as it did in the opening term against Sydney last Thursday, Melbourne failed to capitalise on a strong breeze in the second term and booted just one goal through Sam Weideman.
Three goals from the Dockers in the third term – including two from Walters – gave the Dockers the ascendancy heading into the final term against the wind.
Goodwin called in his leaders – Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Jake Melksham, Steven May and Jake Lever – at three-quarter-time before Cerra's blinder put the Dockers four goals clear with 10 minutes to play.
The Demons owned possession in the final stages and goals to Aaron vandenBerg and Bayley Fritsch bridged the gap to nine points inside four minutes.
From there it was the Dockers' defence led by Stephen Hill, Brennan Cox, and Luke Ryan who held their nerve, with first-year forward Michael Frederick kicking a goal on the final siren.
MELBOURNE 0.1 1.3 2.4 4.9 (33)
FREMANTLE 1.6 1.9 4.9 6.11 (47)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hunt, Weideman, vandenBerg, Fritsch,
Fremantle: Walters 3, Darcy, Cerra, Frederick
BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Viney, Fritsch
Fremantle: Walters, Serong, Cerra, Brayshaw, Mundy, Cox, Duman
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Fremantle: Duman (TBC)
