The Sydney Swans have been defeated by the narrowest of margins at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, Fremantle victorious by 1 point.
In a nailbiting finale to a scrappy contest, the Dockers kicked the final two behinds of the game through Andrew Brayshaw and Ed Langdon to edge ahead with 1.23 remaining on the clock.
Surviving a last-ditch effort by the Swans to steal a match-winner, Freo held on for a gripping 7.10 (52) to 7.9 (51) triumph.
The Dockers seemingly had the match in control when Michael Walters pushed the margin to 13 points a minute into the final term, only for the plucky Swans to mount a comeback.
Sam Reid's third goal and Nick Blakey's major edged the visitors closer and with only 2.29 to play they hit the front after Luke Parker's set shot sailed to the right.
Fittingly for a match that never reached any great heights, it was two more behinds that sealed the deal for Fremantle, which has now matched the eight wins from the past two campaigns.
A week after Lyon called on his side to get tougher, the Dockers rolled up their sleeves and outhunted the Swans, winning contested ball by 30.
Naming three ruckmen against Sydney's undersized pinch-hitters looked a gamble that wasn't going to pay off early but Fremantle's clearance dominance (45-23) eventually told.
In the absence of superstar skipper Nat Fyfe (elbow), stand-in captain David Mundy went to work around the coalface (11 clearances) with strong support from Reece Conca (six, 26 disposals).
Swans midfielder Jake Lloyd was outstanding all night, racking up an equal career-best 42 disposals, while fleet-footed Tom Papley (1.3) and Blakely were threatening.
Coming off back-to-back defeats to Carlton and Essendon, the young Swans showed there is plenty to be excited about for the future, even if Longmire will miss out on leading his side into September for the first time in nine seasons at the helm.
MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: The Dockers seemed to get through unscathed.
Sydney: Big defender Aliir Aliir was vomiting during the first half but returned to the fray. Isaac Heeney limped off midway through the third quarter after appearing to hurt his hip after just getting a kick away, however he was also back soon after.
NEXT UP
The Dockers travel to Marvel Stadium for a tricky encounter against the Western Bulldogs next Sunday, while the Swans welcome the runaway League leaders Geelong at the SCG.
FREMANTLE 1.1 3.6 6.7 7.10 (52)
SYDNEY 1.4 5.4 5.6 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Fremantle: Lobb 3, B.Hill, Conca, Matera, Walters
Sydney: Reid 3, Parker, Papley, Fox, Blakey
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Gavine, Harris
Official crowd: 33,594 at Optus Stadium
