FREMANTLE entered the second qualifying final against Geelong with the attitude it was "footy war", according to tagger Ryan Crowley. 

He said the players used the phrase as they prepared for the huge challenge of beating Geelong at Simonds Stadium. 

In the end the game was, said Crowley, "super tough". 

The scratches and bruises evident on his body stood testament to that description. 

One of the most influential players on the ground, Crowley subdued a dominant Steve Johnson after moved on to the star Cat at the 20-minute mark of the first quarter. 

To that point Johnson had kicked two goals and had 12 disposals in the first quarter. Crowley restricted him to just eight disposals after the first break. 

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said Crowley's effort had played a significant part in the Dockers' win and was particularly meritorious, given he began the day on Mathew Stokes. 

Crowley admitted he was a little surprised when he saw in Friday's meeting that he was matched up on Stokes. 

Having prepared to play on Stokes, Johnson or Joel Selwood during the week, he was happy enough with the decision but his initial instinct was to be taken aback. 

Lyon admitted it was a mistake in hindsight. He had deduced that Stokes got off the chain too often and created overlap run that launched Geelong attacks. 

And he justifiably said that against Geelong's star-studded midfield the choice was one of 'take your pick'.  

But with 19min 35 sec elapsed in the first quarter and after Johnson's second goal, the decision was made to switch Crowley. 

Both coach and player realised at the exact same moment that, to use a famous political slogan, 'it's time'.

Lyon sent the instruction just as Crowley was thinking "Here we go". 

When Crowley moved alongside Johnson, the veteran Cat asked the Freo tagger whether he had been moved on to him. 

Crowley's words summed the decision up.  

"I said 'Mate, you can't have 12 and kick two and not expect a bit of attention'," Crowley told AFL.com.au.

Sometimes, Johnson must have thought, you can shine too bright. 

From then on, Crowley was engaged in a personal battle with Johnson. 

The banter was rich, as was the contest. It was never going to be any different. 

"I'm pretty good on the lip and so is he," Crowley said.

The Fremantle tagger's approach was the same as ever. He wanted to make it physical and stamp himself on the duel early. He was confident in his ability to go with Johnson but he knew it was a big job. 

"He is a great player ... so it was no surprise that he was going well," Crowley said. "He was a pretty daunting guy to play on as well because he does have some tricks that he can use." 

The coach admitted he made a mistake but all is well that ends well. 

He paid credit to Crowley for being able to make the mid-game switch and have an effect. 

"I take the hit for that ... in hindsight it was the wrong call," Lyon said. "To Ryan's credit to then go to a great player, with plenty of help from his teammates, and do a pretty good job was important for the win today." 

Crowley knew the result was what mattered and he had been a critical player in a big battle. 

"[It's] probably the best win I've been involved in," he said.