The win sees Fremantle’s undefeated start to the season continue; the club going 3-0 for the first time since its inception in 1995. It now looks a serious finals contender.
Led by captain Matthew Pavlich and star youngster Stephen Hill, Fremantle muscled back a 21-point deficit to snatch the lead as time-on approached in the last quarter.
With Fremantle one point ahead with two minutes remaining, Geelong defender Harry Taylor over-stepped the line with his kick-in and Fremantle rushed another behind.
Paul Duffield sharked Taylor’s next kick-in and booted the match-winning goal on the run from just inside 50m.
It was truly thrilling clash that saw 14 lead changes throughout. Adding to the supreme spectacle were dominant performances from superstars Pavlich (26 possessions and five goals) and Gary Ablett (33 and four).
Geelong, which was missing bookends Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney and ruckman Brad Ottens, booted six goals in the third term to build a 21-point lead.
But Fremantle - which was also served well by ruckman Aaron Sandilands (37 hit-outs), Anthony Morabito (two goals) and defenders Luke McPharlin, Alex Silvagni and Jay van Berlo - would not be denied.
Ablett had a 20-possession first half opposed to Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley, stamping himself on the game whenever Geelong was challenged.
When Fremantle kicked four of five goals late in the second term, he broke from the centre square to kick a steadier from outside 50m.
When the home side again mounted a challenge late in the third, Chapman and then Ablett hit the scoreboard.
It was a first half played at a frenetic pace - the two sides going goal-for-goal and Fremantle’s forward pressure creating plenty of opportunities.
The home side was wasteful in attack, however, while the Cats' stars were taking every half chance that fell their way.
Fremantle 3.6 9.8 12.12 18.17 (125)
Geelong Cats 4.4 8.10 14.14 17.16 (118)
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich 5; McPhee, Hill, Headland, Morabito, Ballantyne 2; Barlow, Hayden, Duffield
Geelong Cats: Ablett 4; Hawkins, Chapman 3; Johnson, Podsiadly 2; Bartel, Selwood, Duncan
BEST
Fremantle: Pavlich, Hill, Sandilands, Mundy, Morabito, McPharlin, Silvagni
Geelong Cats: Ablett, Chapman, Enright, Selwood, Bartel, Mackie
INJURIES
Fremantle: Suban (ankle)
Geelong Cats: Ling (ribs)
Reports: Ballantyne (Fremantle) for misconduct
Umpires: Margetts, Avon, McInerney.
Official crowd: 38,762 at Subiaco Oval
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
