By Michael Whiting
Fremantle has dodged a huge bullet, hanging on to defeat an injury-depleted Gold Coast SUNS by seven points in a thrilling match at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The SUNS led by 17 points at half-time, but Freo overcame six lead changes in the final quarter to win 14.10 (94) to 14.3 (87).
It was a dramatic night at Carrara as the home team played most of the match without vice-captain Nathan Bock, who suffered a broken leg in the first quarter.
David Swallow (ankle) and Jared Brennan (knee) were taken to the SUNS dressing-room at different stages but battled on in pain, while Trent McKenzie (calf) was also hobbled.
Gold Coast SUNS eventually ran out of legs but it lost no admirers with a gutsy performance.
With his team trailing by five points deep in the last quarter, Freo captain Matthew Pavlich stood up after a quiet night to snap the goal that would give the visitors the lead for the final time.
Chris Mayne then extended the margin to seven points with his third goal, before Harley Bennell kept it tight to the final seconds with a brilliant running snap.
Tendai Mzungu soccered home the match-sealer with just seconds remaining.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was relieved to leave the Gold Coast SUNS with the premiership points but said his team had plenty to work on.
"They had nine stoppage goals … we haven’t had one kicked against us all year," Lyon said.
"There are some real holes there, which we can tighten up, but it was just inconsistent effort.
"We go away with some really big lessons from this game as a football club about not being an if: 'if' we turn up and 'if' we get effort.
"We want to be an every minute and an every moment and an every quarter kind of team."
Fremantle lost lightning quick winger Stephen Hill with a corked thigh just after half time, but Lyon expects him to be available to play Port Adelaide next week.
Bennell (37 disposals and three goals) was clearly best afield in a silky display that inspired the hosts.
Dion Prestia (32 disposals) and Sam Iles (29) also got plenty of ball but it was not enough for Gold Coast SUNS to win its first match at home.
SUNS coach Guy McKenna was proud of his team post-match.
"I said to the boys after the game I'm hoping that burns in their guts a bit," McKenna said.
"It was a great step forward after last week. We've shown bits and pieces like that but I thought the consistency in effort (was there).
"We still made some fundamental errors, but we made some errors having a go which was the pleasing thing."
Matt De Boer and Chris Mayne were superb for the victors with three goals each, while Ryan Crowley put a controversial week behind him with a polished 25-touch display.
Bock was taken off in a stretcher after attempting a spoil in a marking contest against De Boer in the opening term.
As both flew for the grab, Bock's right leg collided with De Boer and appeared to shatter on impact.
He is set for a long stint on the sidelines.
It meant the SUNS were without captain Gary Ablett (knee), Bock and deputy vice-captain Michael Rischitelli (ankle).
FREMANTLE 3.0 5.3 10.7 14.10 (94)
GOLD COAST 3.1 8.2 10.2 14.3 (87)
GOALS
Fremantle: Mayne 3, De Boer 3, Neale 2, Crowley, Pavlich, Clarke, Mzungu, Roberton, Hill
Gold Coast: Bennell 3, Swallow 3, Iles, Hunt, Russell, Brennan, Shaw, Caddy, Brown, Day
BEST
Fremantle: Mayne, Crowley, De Boer, Pearce, Ibbotson
Gold Coast: Bennell, Prestia, Hunt, Swallow, Warnock, Iles
INJURIES
Fremantle: Hill (corked quad),
Gold Coast: Bock (fractured leg),
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Lee Spurr replaced Stephen Hill in the third quarter
Gold Coast: Josh Toy replaced Nathan Bock in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Kamolins, Mitchell
Official crowd: 11,670 at Metricon Stadium
