FREMANTLE had one hand on the premiership cup before it was snatched from the Dockers' grasp by on Saturday.

So what does history say about teams who lose a Grand Final in heartbreaking circumstances?

GRAND FINAL Full match coverage and stats

Overall, it is not pretty reading for the Dockers heading into 2027.

They became the 29th team in VFL/AFL history to lose a Grand Final by 10 points or less. Of the previous 28, only five won the flag the following year.

Another five reached the Grand Final and fell short again, in the decider or in the replay that was required.

But there is some more recent history on the Dockers' side, and they can draw inspiration from their Grand Final conquerors.

The last team to lose a close Grand Final was, of course, Brisbane in 2023, when the Lions fell to Collingwood by four points, only for a historic three-peat to follow.

The Pies lost a thriller to West Coast in 2018 and fell in a preliminary final the following year, in yet another close one to Greater Western Sydney.

But before them, it was Hawthorn falling to Sydney by 10 points in 2012, only to respond to that with a three-peat of its own.

So while history does not bode well for the Dockers, the more recent trend does; of the past five teams to lose a Grand Final thriller, three have gone on to win the flag the following year.

The Dockers were still among the younger teams this year and look ready for an extended run of contending, so those Hawks – and these Lions – should give them belief.

Grand Final losses by 10 points or less – and how loser fared the next year

2026 – Fremantle loses by seven points
2027 – ?

2023 – Brisbane loses by four points
2024 – Wins premiership

2018 – Collingwood loses by five points
2019 – Loses preliminary final

2012 – Hawthorn loses by 10 points
2013 – Wins premiership

2006 – Sydney loses by one point
2007 – Loses elimination final

2005 – West Coast loses by one point
2006 – Wins premiership

2002 – Collingwood loses by nine points
2003 – Loses Grand Final

1989 – Geelong loses by six points
1990 – Misses finals

1979 – Collingwood loses by five points
1980 – Loses Grand Final

1971 – St Kilda loses by seven points
1972 – Loses preliminary final

1970 – Collingwood loses by 10 points
1971 – Loses semi-final

1968 – Essendon loses by three points
1969 – Misses finals

1967 – Geelong loses by nine points
1968 – Loses preliminary final

1966 – Collingwood loses by one point
1967 – Loses semi-final

1964 – Collingwood loses by four points
1965 – Loses preliminary final

1947 – Essendon loses by one point
1948 – Loses Grand Final replay

1943 – Essendon loses by five points
1944 – Loses preliminary final

1932 – Carlton loses by nine points
1933 – Loses semi-final

1925 – Collingwood loses by 10 points
1926 – Loses Grand Final

1921 – Carlton loses by four points
1922 – Loses semi-final

1918 – Collingwood loses by five points
1919 – Wins premiership

1914 – South Melbourne loses by six points
1915 – Misses finals

1911 – Collingwood loses by six points
1912 – Misses finals

1909 – Carlton loses by two points
1910 – Loses Grand Final

1908 – Essendon loses by nine points
1909 – Loses semi-final

1907 – South Melbourne loses by five points
1908 – Misses finals

1903 – Fitzroy loses by two points
1904 – Wins premiership

1900 – Fitzroy loses by four points
1901 – Loses semi-final

1899 – South Melbourne loses by one point
1900 – Misses finals