Flagmantle' is no longer a joke. The Dockers are a team to love, fear and trust | Jonathan Horn

Brisbane entered as favourites, but Fremantle travelled to the Gabba and produced a disciplined, multi-pronged display that stifled the Lions’ plans. The Dockers countered Brisbane’s approach—control, chaos, and short, angle-shifting kicking—with adaptable defense and relentless midfield pressure. Fremantle’s forward line offered depth, with Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss, and Jye Amiss providing distinct skill sets and combining for 78.54 through mid-season. The team’s resilience was supported by a well-organised back line and precise ball movement, enabling them to seize control when the game demanded it.