Fremantle Dockers becoming kings of the comeback after Port Adelaide victoryMitchell WoodcockThe West AustralianSun, 10 August 2025 7:00PMCommentsCommentsEmail Mitchell Woodcock
Fremantle have established themselves as footy’s new comeback king after rising into the top four on the back of another blistering final term.
The Dockers’ six-point win over Port Adelaide was their fifth victory this season where they’ve had to fight back from a three-quarter time deficit to claim the four premiership points.
It is the most in a single season since cross-town rivals West Coast accomplished the same feat in 2006 on their way to a third premiership in club history.
Fremantle have over-run St Kilda, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton and now the Power in their past seven games to catapult them into the top four with just two rounds in the home-and-away season remaining.
Down by eight points at the final break at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, the Dockers kicked four final quarter goals to only two with captain Alex Pearce the unlikely hero with the match-winner moments before the final siren.
Fremantle flew home on Sunday inside the top four and all but certain to play finals for the first time since 2022.
Dockers great Shaun McManus praised the Docker’ ability to step up in the big moments to get the victory.
“It’s outstanding. The main thing is they’ve got belief in the way they’re playing and the way they can adjust their system when they’re down and behind to get over the top,” he told The West Australian.
“They’ve worked extremely hard; it’s been a number of years with the new fitness regime. It’s probably been a three-year build to get to this point where they can run over the top of teams.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said he had “mixed emotions” about the result after their 11th win in their past 12 games.
“I’m really proud of the way we fought it out, really proud of the way we adapted to the way the game was played and what the game needed,” he said.
AFL expert Kate McCarthy praised the Docker’s ability to execute late in the game under pressure to get the valuable win.
“The last two minutes from Fremantle were really professional in their way to run set plays, execute in the big moments … they’re season was on life support at some point during that fourth term but they got it back on track and now they sit inside the top four,” she told AFL.com.au.
“They’ve done it in different ways against most of these teams that they’ve been able to come back from a three-quarter time deficit. The only team they couldn’t get over was Sydney, just left their run a little bit too late and lost by 11 points.
“All the others they’ve been successful in and when you’ve got nerves of steel, we’ve seen teams do it in the last couple of years, win close games and come back, it holds you in good stead come big matches in big games in September.”
Fremantle also ended a hoodoo against the Power at Adelaide Oval, beating them at the venue for the first time in eight attempts.
They will now prepare to host reigning premiers Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Friday night before rounding out the home-and-away season against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
FREMANTLE DOCKERS’ 2025 FINAL QUARTER COMEBACKS
Round 16 v St Kilda – down by eight, win by 12
Round 18 v Hawthorn – down by 13, win by 13
Round 19 v Collingwood – down by nine, win by one
Round 21 v Carlton – down by eight, win by 27
Round 22 v Port Adelaide – down by eight, win by six
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