The Flagmantle dream is still alive for 2026 after ruckman Luke Jackson produced a Herculean display to lead Fremantle to a pulsating 14-point semi-final win over Geelong in Perth.
In front of 59,725 fans at Perth Stadium on Friday night, Fremantle skipped out to a 38-7 lead before Geelong hit the front in the third quarter on the back of three quick goals to Oliver Henry.
Staring down the barrel of a straight-sets finals exit, Fremantle lifted when it mattered most, with Jackson the biggest hero of them all.
Jackson kicked two late goals in the third quarter and set up another for Patrick Voss to give Fremantle back the lead.
In a pressure-filled final term, Geelong cut a 24-point deficit back to eight points with 75 seconds remaining.
But Wharfie Time — played for just the second time this year — sent the crowd into a frenzy, with Voss kicking his fourth goal from the ensuing centre clearance as Fremantle sealed the 18.12 (120) to 16.10 (106) victory.
The win set up a preliminary final against the Swans in Sydney next week.
Henry kicked a career-high five goals for Geelong, while Shannon Neale chipped in with three.
Geelong had made eight preliminary finals in the past 10 seasons, but having to travel to Perth for this year’s semi-final proved a bridge too far.
Bailey Smith racked up 29 disposals and 751m gained, while Patrick Dangerfield followed up his five-goal haul against Carlton with two majors and two goal assists.
Jackson (25 disposals, 35 hitouts, eight clearances, two goals) was a clear best-on-ground, while Voss’s four goals were also crucial.
Shai Bolton made up for his quiet display in last week’s 32-point loss to Hawthorn with two goals from 26 disposals.
AAP
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