FREMANTLE held off a fast-finishing Western Bulldogs to win a tense and frantic clash 15.7 (97) to 12.9 (81), leaving both teams at 2-2 for the season.

The home side were pushed all the way by a tough Bulldogs engine room and budding superstar Sam Darcy, who booted five goals and took 11 marks in another outstanding performance in the red, white and blue.

Ultimately, however, the Bulldogs go to Gather Round with the same record as the Dockers and will rue a second-quarter lapse that saw Fremantle kick six unanswered goals in 13 minutes.

That came after a first quarter which saw the visitors dominate inside 50s (19-8) and possession (117-68), repeatedly winning the ball back and locking it in their front half.

Darcy got hold of Alex Pearce to kick two early goals, while Rory Lobb was a constant nuisance for his former club at the other end of the ground, drawing boos from the crowd as he pushed up repeatedly to intercept.

The match was played at a frantic pace, however, and the Dockers took their opportunities more efficiently, somehow leading at the first change after an electric burst from Shai Bolton.

Having kept pace with the Bulldogs during their early assault, the Dockers made their move in the second term, kicking seven goals to two – including a run of six unanswered – to take control of the contest.

The stage was set for the Dockers to make a big statement after entering the main break 32 points clear, but the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the game in the third quarter. 

Darcy's fourth goal and a 40m snap from Sanders cut the margin to 20 points quickly but, as they had in the first quarter, the Dockers continued to find goals when they were on the back foot.

Freo midfielder Caleb Serong was immense, leading the midfield with 38 disposals and 15 clearances, while Andrew Brayshaw (29 and a goal) lifted at critical moments in his 150th game.

Skipper Tom Liberatore was magnificent again for the Bulldogs with 30 disposals, with Matt Kennedy also showing well with 26. 

Lobb walks the walk
Everything Rory Lobb has done since transforming himself into a consistent AFL defender suggests he is the type of player who can carry-off a loud hairstyle. Blue dye a fortnight ago was one thing, but Lobb returned to Perth with a red lobster dyed into his bleached hair. Knowing from experience the crowd would be against him, Lobb walked the walk – particularly early – and made life difficult for the Dockers' forwards with his aerial ability. He positioned well and repeatedly intercepted the ball, finishing with seven marks.

FREMANTLE                  4.2     11.5    14.6    15.7 (97)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   4.0     6.3     10.6     12.9 (81)

GOALS
Fremantle: Treacy 3, Frederick 3, Bolton 2, Brayshaw, Sharp, Jackson, Banfield, Dudley, Amiss, Reid
Western Bulldogs: Darcy 5, Sanders 2, Harmes, West, O'Donnell, Naughton, McNeil

BEST
Fremantle: Serong, Treacy, Brayshaw, Reid, Frederick, Chapman, Jackson 
Western Bulldogs: Darcy, Liberatore, Dale, English, Kennedy, Sanders

INJURIES
Fremantle: Jackson (hamstring), O'Driscoll (ankle), Wagner (calf awareness)
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (knee soreness)

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Karl Worner (replaced Corey Wagner in the third quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Harvey Gallagher (replaced Laitham Vandermeer in the second quarter)

Crowd: 41,491 at Optus Stadium