Fremantle has come from behind to defeat Essendon by 37 points at Domain Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With the mercury pushing towards 30 degrees in Perth, the Bombers threw everything at the home side early and raced to a 27-point lead in the second term.
But, playing their third game in 13 days, John Worsfold's men couldn't hold off the fast-finishing Dockers.
Fuelled by self-belief from thrilling fightback victories over the Bulldogs, Demons and Kangaroos, Fremantle hung in long enough before finding a spark in a six-goal-to-four third quarter.
Willed on by a 33,393-strong crowd, the Dockers finished full of running, hitting the front for the first time when Cam McCarthy steered through a tough set shot at the six-minute mark of the last term and motoring away to a 17.14 (116) to 11.13 (79) win.
McCarthy's second from deep in the pocket iced the cake, after recalled big man Matt Taberner bagged his fourth after an encouraging return in his first game for the season.
Freo's forward line had more bite with Taberner alongside recruits McCarthy and Shane Kersten (two goals), with the Dockers topping the ton for only the second time in 17 games.
The victory lifted Fremantle back into a positive win-loss ledger at 4-3 and meant that every team lower on the ladder than their opponent heading into round seven emerged victorious for the first time in an 18-team competition.
The Dons (now 3-4) looked in desperate need of a freshen-up after slumping to their second-straight loss and sixth defeat in a row in Perth.
Fremantle's speedy wingman Bradley Hill (37 disposals) and skipper Nat Fyfe (26, two goals) were instrumental in the Dockers' turnaround from a lacklustre opening half.
Hill racked up 12 touches in a huge third quarter, while Fyfe bounced back from a quiet first half with nine disposals and a major to inspire his side.
Ball magnet Lachie Neale (38 possessions) was superb throughout for Freo, while Michael Walters (26) lifted after two games below his lofty standards.
Michael Hurley (nine marks) was a rock for the Bombers in defence all match, but the star backman couldn’t hold back the surging purple tide after half-time.
In warm conditions, Essendon laid the pattern for the match early, sharing the ball by foot and methodically working through Fremantle's zone.
The Dons took a deserved 13-point break into quarter-time, although Freo could've been closer if it not for some wasted gilt-edged chances in front of goal.
Ross Lyon decided not to send tagger Connor Blakely to one opponent, and Brendon Goddard (25 disposals), Zach Merrett (28, one goal) and Dyson Heppell (23, one) were the architects of Essendon's strong start.
With twin towers Cale Hooker (two goals) and Joe Daniher (three) looming large in attack, the Bombers threatened to break away after edging to a 27-point lead.
The Dockers were repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with stilted and error-riddled ball movement, but Ross Lyon's men finally found some momentum nearing half-time.
Late majors to Hayden Crozier and Taberner kept the margin to a manageable 13 points at the long change, with the Dockers within striking distance as Essendon's fatigue set in.
FREMANTLE 2.2 5.6 11.10 17.14 (116)
ESSENDON 4.3 7.7 11.12 11.13 (79)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 4, Kersten 2, McCarthy 2, Fyfe 2, Grey 2, Neale, Crozier, B. Hill, Mundy, Balic
Essendon: Daniher 3, Hooker 2, Heppell, Z. Merrett, Gleeson, Hurley, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Green
BEST
Fremantle: Neale, Fyfe, Taberner, B. Hill, Walters, Kersten
Essendon: Hurley, Heppell, Daniher, Z. Merrett, Goddard, Hooker
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Williamson, Pannell
