BRISBANE has sewn up its finals spot and reasserted itself in the premiership race after a clinical 57-point win against Fremantle on Friday night that has left the wasteful Dockers in a fight to save their season. 

In a high stakes clash at Optus Stadium that guaranteed September footy for the winner, the Lions drew on their experience and class to overpower the Dockers, winning 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) and moving into the top four. 

DOCKERS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

They will now sweat on the fitness of premiership wingman Jarrod Berry after he left the field late with a shoulder injury in the only sour note to a complete performance that will put rival contenders on notice.  

With finals secured, the 2024 premiers will now be playing for a potential top four spot when they host Hawthorn next Sunday at the Gabba. The Dockers, meanwhile, will likely need to beat the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium to play finals in a thrilling end to the season. 

In Fremantle's most consequential home-and-away game under coach Justin Longmuir, the Dockers dropped the ball early and failed to take their chances, with the Lions refusing to let them back into the game. 

The reigning premiers took an incredible 147 uncontested marks and played the game on their terms for long periods, kicking 10 goals to two in the second half to win their ninth road game this season.   

Zac Bailey was brilliant for the Lions, sparking them early and finishing with 28 disposals, two goals, and a game-high 10 score involvements, with Hugh McCluggage (28 and eight clearances) influential in the midfield. 

Defenders Harris Andrews and Ryan Lester were outstanding on the Dockers' tall forwards, while Logan Morris (four goals), Charlie Cameron (three) and Cam Rayner (two) did the damage in attack.  

The Lions came with a plan and executed it perfectly in the first quarter, racking up uncontested marks and then locking the ball in their front half to kick the first three goals and silence the home crowd. 

Fremantle was off its game, turning the ball over in its back half, hesitating with the ball when it had openings, and missing set shots, putting in its worst first quarter of the season and only third goalless quarter of the year to trail by 15 points. 

That extended to a game-high 25 points after Bailey kicked a brilliant goal over his head and Logan Morris was paid a free kick 100m off the ball when he was pushed to ground inside 50 by Brennan Cox. 

The game was being played more on the Dockers' terms, however, with Jordan Clark and Josh Treacy playing like men on a mission and dragging their team back into the contest.

After eight behinds, the breakthrough finally came when Treacy kicked two goals in two minutes from marks inside 50, with Andrew Brayshaw adding another after the team willed the ball forward, cutting the margin to seven points at the main break. 

The Lions made their big move in the third, getting on top at stoppages and kicking five goals to one as Rayner asserted himself on the contest with two brilliant goals that took the margin to 31 points. 

The Dockers tried desperately to link up through the corridor and play with speed, but they continually lacked the finishing touch going inside 50. 

Treacy's decision to play on after a mark in the goalsquare, resulting in Lester pushing him off his kick and preventing a certain goal, typified a frustrating quarter for the home team, which finally came undone after its run of come-from-behind wins. 

Bailey's brilliance gives Lions early edge
The Lions used Zac Bailey as a centre square regular as they adjust without co-captain Lachie Neale, but it was when the crafty Lion pushed forward that he did his most damage. His second-quarter goal was the highlight of a terrific first half, slamming the ball on his boot instinctively while facing away from goal and converting over his head. It's the type of goal very few players could kick, but Bailey made it look easy as he went to the main break with 2.2, and finished with 10 marks and a game-high 10 score involvements.  

Farewell Fyfe, just in case
Friday night was a chance for Fremantle fans to say goodbye to arguably the club's greatest player just in case he has played his last game in front of them at Optus Stadium. There is still a chance the Dockers will host a home final if they can beat the Bulldogs, but fans took the chance to show their adoration for the dual Brownlow medallist just in case. He entered the game as the substitute in the final quarter and received cheers for his eight disposals. A highlights package on the big screens at half time was another chance for fans to raise their voice, while Fyfe finished with a lap of honour before walking from the ground through a guard of honour.

FREMANTLE   0.5    3.8    4.13    5.14 (44)
BRISBANE     3.2    5.4    10.8    15.11 (101)

GOALS
Fremantle: Treacy 2, Brayshaw, Jackson, Reid
Brisbane: Morris 4, Cameron 3, Bailey 2, Rayner 2, Ah Chee, Fort, Lester, McCluggage

BEST
Fremantle: Clark, Treacy, Reid, Serong, Brayshaw
Brisbane: Bailey, McCluggage, Morris, Fletcher, Rayner, Zorko, Andrews, Lester 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Brisbane: Berry (shoulder) 

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe (replaced Corey Wagner at three-quarter time)
Brisbane: Luke Beecken (replaced Jarrod Berry in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 54,302 at Marvel Stadium