Fremantle have overcome an early case of stage fright and a 41-point deficit to post a stunning 13-point elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs at Perth Stadium.
The Bulldogs looked to have Saturday night's game in the bag after opening up a 42-1 lead nine minutes into the second term.
But the Dockers booted 10 of the next 11 goals to set up the famous 11.7 (73) to 8.12 (60) victory in front of 58,982 fans.
The result sets up a semi-final against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday, and also keeps David Mundy's hopes of a dream flag alive.
For the Bulldogs, who only just scraped into the finals courtesy of Carlton's late choke, their season was brought to an end at the same venue where they suffered last year's humiliating 74-point grand final loss to Melbourne.
Dockers veteran Michael Walters was crucial in Saturday's win with 3.3, while Rory Lobb, who is expected to move to the Bulldogs after this season, finished with two long-range goals.
Midfielders Caleb Serong (33 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal) and Andrew Brayshaw (32 possessions, one goal) feasted off the ruck dominance of Sean Darcy (47 hitouts, 15 possessions).
Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli was influential early and finished with 30 disposals and two goals, while Josh Dunkley (23 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) was also important.
Fremantle's inexperienced team — featuring just four players with previous finals experience — looked like deer in the headlights for most of the first half.
Bontempelli set the tone with two long-range goals in the opening quarter, the first after just two minutes.
The visitors were so dominant that Fremantle went 18 minutes without entering their forward 50m at one stage.
When they did enter it was disastrous. Lobb and Walters both kicked it out on the full from set shots, while Walters' other shot went through for a behind.
The quarter-time scoreline of 5.5 (35) to 0.1 (1) made for ugly reading for Fremantle.
Alarm bells were ringing when Josh Dunkley's snap early in the second quarter extended the margin to 41 points.
Fremantle couldn't buy a goal at that stage.
All hope seemed lost, especially when two-game forward Jye Amiss missed a 15m set shot from almost directly in front.
But the final five minutes of the half got Fremantle back into the match.
Walters converted the team's first goal after receiving a soft free kick.
Brayshaw followed it up with a 50m goal on the run a minute later, and Serong continued the momentum with a sharp snap.
The best was saved for last, with Amiss marking in the dying seconds of the first half before nailing his 25m set shot after the siren.
Amiss was mobbed by his teammates after the magical moment, with his goal cutting the margin back to 15 points.
Fremantle went on to nail the big moments in the third quarter.
Walters pulled off a brilliant smother in attack to keep the pressure hot, and a minute later he scooped up the ball to snap truly.
Lobb converted long-range goals either side of that, reducing the margin to six points at the final change.
Amiss converted a 48m goal early in the final quarter to level the scores, with Michael Frederick pulling off a crucial tackle on Ed Richards to set up Walters' third midway through the term and open up an 11-point lead.
Although Rourke Smith took a spectacular mark to cut the deficit back to five points midway through the final term, Fremantle youngster Nathan O'Driscoll showed nerves of steel to kick a goal from the pocket to seal the win.
Key events
- FT: FREMANTLE WIN! DOCKERS WIN BY 13 POINTS
- 14': Griffin Logue has put Fremantle in front!
- 3QT: Bulldogs lead by six points but Freo are storming home!
- HT: Amiss kicks the goal! The Dockers are back with 15!
- QT: Dogs burst out to a 34-point lead
- 20': We're underway at Perth Stadium!
- The teams are in!
- Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs: Do-or-die in the west
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Live updates
By Dean Bilton
That's it from week one of the finals!
We've been spoiled rotten this week, haven't we? Four high-quality, high-octane games that have all gone down to the wire.
This was a fantastic way to finish, and it was a joy to watch these young Freo players find their feet and rise to the occasion, maturing into a finals-ready footy team in real time.
They've got a massive test coming up next week against Collingwood at the 'G, but they've earned the right to be there and will be better for tonight's experience. Next week's finals can't come quickly enough.
That's it from me! It's been a big first week on the blog, but I'll be back next Friday night to take you through Melbourne and Brisbane's crunch semi-final. And there will be plenty more reaction and analysis right here on ABC Sport over the coming days. Thanks for joining me, see you again soon!
By Dean Bilton
Season over for the Bulldogs
On the same ground they ended their 2021 campaign, in admittedly very different circumstances, the Bulldogs bow out.
After the start they made, and with the lead they accrued, this one is going to hurt a hell of a lot. They kicked three goals after quarter-time, and though they fought hard to avoid being completely overrun it became clear about halfway through the third quarter that they were outmatched.
A mixed season for the Dogs in the end, and some work to do over the summer.
By Dean Bilton
Jye Amiss. Baller.
This boy's got something about him alright. In just his second game, a wildcard selection if ever there was one for a final, Jye Amiss played a terrific second half and was a massive part of the Dockers' resurgence.
By Dean Bilton
A night to remember from Sonny Walters
I can't remember the last time Michael Walters played that well. When the Dockers needed a hero, it was Walters - with some help from Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in the middle - who lifted to drag his team out of the mire.
By Dean Bilton
FT: FREMANTLE WIN! DOCKERS WIN BY 13 POINTS
From 41 points down.
After the worst start imaginable.
Down and out.
These young Dockers stand tall, turn the tables on the Bulldogs and surge their way to a semi-final meeting with Collingwood next week. It's a night that could be the making of this Dockers team, in 2022 and beyond.
By Dean Bilton
1': Brayshaw marks at half forward and will take all his time
The siren is imminent. The roar will be like nothing Fremantle has heard before.
By Dean Bilton
2': Down to 90 seconds to go
The Freo chant bellows around the stadium. They have pulled off one of the great comebacks in finals history.
By Dean Bilton
3': Will Brodie off a step.... hits the post!
But that behind means the Dogs need three goals in less than three minutes...
By Dean Bilton
5': Clock ticking away
There's still time for the Bulldogs, but right now there's no way through Freo's defensive structure. They need to find some dare, the season is on the line here.
By Dean Bilton
6': The crowd awaits Freo's killer blow
All Dockers right now, and one more goal might end this. Dogs hanging on for dear life...
By Dean Bilton
8': Jye Amiss again on the lead! A new hero is emerging!
This is a fantastic mark from the first-year forward! He's playing an inspired second half, and if he kicks this the Dockers might just about be home... but he's left it short, and eventually it's rushed out for a throw in.
By Dean Bilton
8': Forget the point, O'Driscoll kicks the goal! Spectacular!
What a finish from the young man, who is off on one of the all-time great celebrations! The Dockers lead by 12 points, and it is bedlam at Perth Stadium!
By Dean Bilton
8': Holding the ball! O'Driscoll wins the free kick!
He'll kick for goal from an impossible angle, but even a point would be handy...
By Dean Bilton
11': Walters off the ground... a behind!
Back to a six-point Freo lead.
By Dean Bilton
11': Smith kicks it! Dogs still alive!
In the nick of time, just as it seemed to be slipping away, a moment of individual brilliance from Roarke Smith has pulled his Bulldogs back into this thing.
By Dean Bilton
12': Roarke Smith! What a mark!
An absolute screamer up forward, and he can line up for a much-needed Dogs goal...
By Dean Bilton
12': Walters goals! What a chase from Michael Frederick!
Freddy ran down Richards! He came from nowhere! Richards' kick went straight to Walters who stood and delivered! The Dockers can taste one of the great victories in their club's history!
