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 is now one of only three undefeated teams and looks a serious finals contender.
Led by captain Matthew Pavlich and star youngster Stephen Hill, Fremantle booted six final-quarter goals to three to muscle back a 21-point deficit and 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 found himself on the end of Geelong's next kick-in and booted the match-winning goal on the run from just inside 50m.
It was a truly thrilling clash that saw 14 lead changes throughout. Adding to the supreme spectacle were dominant performances from opposing superstars Gary Ablett (33 possessions and four goals) and Pavlich (26 touches, 16 contested and five goals).
“No matter where we had to play him, he just changed the trend of the game at times,” Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said of Pavlich after the match.
“Particularly when we had to find something when we were behind - he brought it upon himself. From a leadership, captain’s point of view, it was one of the great games.”
Geelong, which was missing bookends Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney and ruckman Brad Ottens, booted six goals in the third term to build its 21-point lead.
But Fremantle - which was also served well by ruckman Aaron Sandilands (37 hit-outs), Anthony Morabito (two goals) and an even defence led by Luke McPharlin - would not be denied.
“We had to dig, we had to find something,” Harvey said. “It looked like the game was going to get away from us in that third quarter.
“We had to come from behind and challenge the premiers from the previous year.”
Watch Mark Harvey's post-match press conference »
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, he again hit the scoreboard.
Cats coach Mark Thompson said Pavlich had been the more influential of the two players.
“In the end [he] almost got his team up with his own efforts,” Thompson said of Pavlich, adding that Ottens, Mooney, Scarlett, Max Rooke and Darren Milburn were a good chance to return next week.
“Our boys were pretty gallant and tried very hard to win until they tired a bit in the last quarter. Fremantle played very well in that last quarter and overran us.”
Watch Mark Thompson's post-match press conference »
Cameron Ling was hit hard by Michael Johnson in the first half, but was cleared of any damage to his ribs and returned after the long break.
Nick Suban was taken from the ground on a stretcher in the dramatic final minutes, but has been cleared of a knee injury and will have scans on his left ankle on Monday.
Fremantle travels to Etihad Stadium to take on a wounded St Kilda in round four, while the Cats face Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium.
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.
