FREMANTLE is back in the top eight after a pulsating 10-point win against a spirited St Kilda, with Eden Zanker booting a pair of fourth-quarter goals to drive the Dockers home at Cockburn ARC Oval. 

The Saints played with great energy and passion in caretaker coach Matt Brewer's first game in charge, and they took the lead early in the fourth term after Ashleigh Richards drove through a tackle and converted from long-range. 

Freo steadied from there, however, and booted three goals in six minutes to lock away their fifth win of the season, 7.8 (50) to 6.4 (40).

It was a crucial home win for Lisa Webb's team after entering the match with a 1-3 record at their new AFLW base and needing to win to keep their finals ambitions on track. 

Ruck Mim Strom was outstanding with 27 disposals, 30 hitouts and eight clearances, giving the Dockers midfield a 39-22 clearance advantage, while Kiara Bowers (36 disposals and 11 clearances) capitalised. 

McCarthy (32 and five) was prominent in her milestone game, while Gabby Newton (30) and defender Indiana West impressed.

For the Saints, defender Serene Watson booted two goals to ignite her team, while Georgia Patrikios worked hard all day for 25 disposals. 

Fremantle monopolised possession early and kicked the opening goal against the breeze through Bowers, prompting the Saints to get numbers back and clog up their backline. 

They worked their way into the quarter from there, creating a few slingshot plays to gain territory and lock the ball in their front half, with Zoe Besanko kicking a nice goal off a couple of steps with 15 seconds left in the quarter. 

The Dockers capitalised on the breeze in the second term, with Matilda Banfield marking, spinning and running on to kick a terrific goal after a period of midfield dominance for the home team. 

The Saints used a loose player in defence, but Fremantle was still able to create opportunities from its stoppage game, winning the clearances 9-3 in the second term as ruck Strom took control. 

The game had another twist in the third, with St Kilda skipper Watson sparking her team with the first two goals of her career as the Saints lifted their pressure and charged forward with the ball. 

When Nicola Xenos won a free kick and converted deep in attack, the Saints had their first lead of the day and all the momentum going into the fourth term, with the Dockers needing to respond after their intensity had dropped. 

While the Saints challenged them to the end, McNaughton was the spark the Dockers needed late and Zanker finished the job to square the Dockers season at 5-5.  

Long wait over for Saints skipper
Serene Watson had just one behind to her name after 75 games entering Sunday's clash having carved her niche as a reliable defender who rarely ventures forward. She did press up for an inside 50 stoppage during the third quarter against Freo, however, and the ball fell her way off the rucks' hands, allowing her to snap the first goal of her career. She wasn't done there, however, adding another minutes later from another left foot snap. The Saints were celebrating everything with great spirit and energy on Sunday, but they found a new level for Watson's pair of goals, jumping all over their skipper and generating great momentum. 

Next up 
The Dockers face a massive challenge next Saturday at GMHBA Stadium, taking on a rampaging Geelong after the Cats won their ninth straight match. St Kilda hosts Brisbane at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon.  

FREMANTLE    1.2   3.5   3.6   7.9 (51)
ST KILDA        1.0   1.2   4.4   6.4 (40) 

GOALS
Fremantle: Zanker 2, McNaughton 2, Banfield, Bowers, Miller
St Kilda: Watson 2, Besanko, Richards, Smith, Xenos  

BEST
Fremantle: Bowers, Strom, Zanker, West, McNaughton, Newton 
St Kilda: Watson, Patrikios, Richards, Trudgeon, Lambert 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Scanlon (ankle) 
St Kilda: Nil 

Crowd: TBC at Cockburn ARC Oval