GEELONG has fallen short of a final quarter comeback against Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats got off to a terrific start kicking the opening three-goals inside for the first 13 minutes, but from that moment onwards it was largely played on Fremantle’s terms despite a late fightback in the final term for the Cats.
The Dockers winning their fifth straight win 10.9 (69) to 10.6 (66).
CATS v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats
It was just their fourth win in 19 attempts at Kardinia Park and included keeping Geelong goalless from the 28-minute mark of the first quarter until the 20th minute of the third in front of 20,136 fans.
Fremantle is now 6-1 and second behind reigning premier Melbourne despite skipper Nat Fyfe (back) not playing all season, while Geelong remains firmly in the pack of clubs jostling in the lower half of the eight.
Winger Blake Acres (27 disposals) was excellent while midfielder Andrew Brayshaw (28 disposals) was typically industrious.
Rory Lobb gave the Dockers a target all day, while Griffin Logue shut down Jeremy Cameron and Alex Pearce overcame Tom Hawkins' red-hot start to fight out an entertaining duel.
Defender Tom Stewart (40 disposals, 13 marks) was clearly the Cats' best while small forward Tyson Stengle (three goals) was lively and Cam Guthrie (35 disposals, eight clearances) stood out in midfield in Patrick Dangerfield's absence.
The Dockers looked shellshocked early as Geelong booted the first three goals of the game, with Hawkins kicking two.
Lobb steadied the ship, with Nathan O'Driscoll adding another from the boundary, while Lachie Schulz's late snap kept the margin to nine points at quarter time.
Geelong's Max Holmes injured his ankle late in the first quarter and was substituted out for Luke Dahlhaus early in the second.
Fremantle dominated the second quarter with its pace and slick ball movement but was wasteful early, kicking three points before Lobb's second major drew it within a point.
Sam Switkowski's long-range point drew Fremantle level at the main break, then it exploded in the third term.
In his 100th game, Darcy Tucker snapped the Dockers in front, with Switkowski and Michael Frederick nudging the lead out to 18 points.
Rhys Stanley took a hanger and converted from close range to revive the Cats but Acres hoofed a wonderful long-range goal to deliver Fremantle a 17-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Cats wouldn't go away in the final term.
Mark Blicavs launched his second goal from long range to cut the margin to three points with 26 seconds left on the clock.
But Fremantle hung on for a memorable victory.
Cats Speedster Grounded
Geelong suffered a blow when rising wingman Max Holmes left the field in pain after injuring his left ankle during the first quarter. The 19-year-old son of dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lee Naylor, Holmes has had an impressive start to 2022, highlighted by his 20-disposal, five-tackle effort against Collingwood in round three.
GEELONG 5.0 5.1 6.3 10.6 (66)
FREMANTLE 3.3 4.7 8.8 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Geelong: Stengle 3, Hawkins 2, Stanley 2, Blicavs 2, Dahlhaus
Fremantle: Lobb 2, Schultz 2, Frederick 2, O'Driscoll, Tucker, Switkowski, Acres
BEST
Geelong: Stewart, Guthrie, Stengle, Close, Blicavs
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Acres, Lobb, Serong, Clark, Mundy
INJURIES
Geelong: Holmes (ankle)
Fremantle: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Luke Dahlhaus (replaced Max Holmes in the second quarter)
Fremantle: Bailey Banfield (unused)
Crowd: 20,136 at GMHBA Stadium
