Michael Walters has become the hero for Fremantle for the second week in succession, with his goal inside the final minute on Saturday giving Fremantle their first win over Collingwood at the MCG since 2006.
The 28-year-old marked in front of goal when an attempted torpedo from skipper Nat Fyfe dropped short and landed in his arms as the Dockers trailed by two points.
Michael Walters has been the hero for the Dockers two weeks in a row.Credit:AAP
Walters went back and kicked the goal under enormous pressure to follow up his match-winning poster after the siren last week against the Brisbane Lions.
However the result will be the subject of debate as Walters' first goal in the third quarter appeared to be touched off the boot by former Docker Chris Mayne. However, it was notpicked up by officials, with the score review appearing to focus on the goal line.
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That said, it was a win for the ages by the Dockers, as they trailed at half-time and then fell 10 points behind in the final quarter.
Up until the pulsating finish, the game had been ordinary. The skill level had been below par and the Magpies appeared as though they would do enough to win their eighth game on the trot.
Close loss: Dejected Pie splayers stand around after the final siren.Credit:AAP
But after kicking the final goal of the first half to stay in touch, Fremantle put their foot down at the start of the third quarter, kicking four consecutive goals as the game was played inside the Dockers' front half.
Brad Hill was outstanding, using the ball better than anyone on the ground, and he was receiving good support around the stoppages from Fyfe and former Tiger Reece Conca, who was busy.
The Dockers also managed to quell Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar and Steele Sidebottom and controlled the match for the period, stretching the lead out to 15 points.
However with Dockers defender Alex Pearce forced from the ground with a sore ankle, the Magpies lifted, winning critical centre clearances and kicking consecutive goals through Will Hoskin-Elliott and Jordan De Goey to draw within a goal, narrowly failing to gain the lead at the final break when the siren went just before Ben Reid kicked a goal.
Collingwood, as has been their pattern in recent weeks, kicked the first two goals of the final quarter and it looked as though history would repeat.
However the Dockers responded, their run troubling Collingwood, and Brandon Matera bobbed up to kick two important goals to keep them in touch.
His run proved enough to turn defence into attack and the Dockers were in front when the final siren sounded.
The team that won in the end were the team that earned it and deserved it.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the win was meritorious describing it as a hard-fought victory.
The Dockers won the inside 50 count by 11 and Lyon said they could have been further in front midway through the third quarter.
He said their ball movement was improving and they would score more if they could be more efficient in converting opportunities. Lyon said the group were always going to keep coming despite falling nine points behind in the final quarter.
"We haven't given up all year. Every game we have been in we have gone to the end and so we know we can go to the end," Lyon said.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said the Dockers were harder inside and played with "more energy, more dare and more aggression".
"The team that won in the end were the team that earned it and deserved it," Buckley said.
Deplorable skill level
Collingwood's forward entries throughout the first half were well below par. It was like they were kicking a nerf ball at times rather than the Sherrin, such was the lack of penetration in their kicking. Fremantle weren't a lot better but it was the Magpies who wasted multiple chances to score with grubbers that would embarrass a weekend golf hack. Collingwood were lucky that De Goey was powerful enough to create two goals in the first half and that Read More – Source
