Sam Menegola celebrates a goal against the Dockers.

It was a win full of merit according to Chris Scott.

On this day in 2017 the Cats hosted the Dockers at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong entered the Round 14 match sitting third on the ladder, while Fremantle were on a four-game losing streak in 12th position.

Trailing by 34 points in the second term and then 19 points at the final change, with three players injured and out for the game, the Cats dug deep to pull off a stunning two-point win.

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Geelong got off to the worst possible start when inspirational captain Joel Selwood was knocked out in the first 45 seconds of the match after a head clash with Docker Hayden Ballantyne.

Joel's teammates signal for assistance.

Selwood laid motionless for a few minutes as his teammates signalled for the medical staff. Rather than getting on the stretcher, a dazed Selwood first walked and then jogged off the ground, to cheers from the Cats faithful.

Joel Selwood receives a standing ovation as he leaves the ground.

Tom Stewart and Darcy Lang were also in the wars. Stewart suffered a facial fracture and Lang could hardly run.

After the Cats took a slender five-point advantage into quarter time, the young and buoyant Fremantle side dominated the second term, opening up a game-high 34-point lead at the 25-minute mark of the quarter.

The Cats were producing their worst football of the season against a Fremantle side on the verge of one of the upsets of the year.

Stoppage time goals to Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzel cut the margin to 22 points at half-time and gave the Cats some momentum heading into the sheds.

Both sides went goal for goal in the third period with the Cats eating into the Dockers lead marginally, to trail by 19 points heading into the last quarter.

Two goals from James Parsons and one to Tom Hawkins proved the difference in the final term, with the Cats recording a thrilling 10.14 (74) to 11.6 (72) victory in front of 29,928 fans at GMHBA Stadium.

James Parsons celebrates one of this two final quarter goals.

Coach Chris Scott described the victory as a ‘win full of merit’ post-game.

"One thing you can't accuse our players of, right at the moment, is giving up. When things were going against us, we just found a way to stay in the game," Scott said.

"We think it was a win full of merit, not in terms of skill execution, but in terms of will and mental application."

Patrick Dangerfield takes a strong grab.

Patrick Dangerfield was best-on-ground finishing with game-highs for disposals (31), metres gained (657) and clearances (12).

He was well supported by Irishman Zach Tuohy who recorded 28 disposals and kicked two goals.

Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie were also named in Geelong's best after standout performances down back.