Fremantle kicked seven goals to three after half-time to score an important 12.16 (88) to 10.5 (65) win, just its third in eight games.
Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich was inspirational in a significant return to form, kicking five goals and winning 28 possessions in his hybrid midfield-forward role.
The Lions for the first half and trailed by just three points at the final break.
But Freo controlled the final quarter, winning the inside 50s (17-2) and clearances (13-4) to close the game.
As well as Pavlich, Greg Broughton (32 possessions and two goals) and Nat Fyfe (24) willed their side home.
For the Lions, Simon Black (33 possessions) was outstanding, and Jack Redden (31 and a goal) continued his impressive season.
But the visitors couldn't get Jonathan Brown involved in the game after half-time, while the home side's skipper took control of the contest to keep Fremantle's season afloat.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
Brown made a bright start with six disposals in the first nine minutes and the first two goals of the game. Fremantle looked scrappy early but responded through a Ryan Crowley goal. Daniel Rich restored the Lions' two-goal lead. Bryce Retzlaff scored the visitors' fourth. But a spectacular Pavlich goal deep into time-on saw his team end the quarter by eight points.
SECOND QUARTER
The Lions again made a strong start and extended their lead through Daniel Rich's second, but midfielder Clayton Hinkley provided a quick response. After Rich missed a sitter, Pavlich made him pay with a pair of set-shot goals which put the home side in front. Fremantle fell apart late in the quarter, particularly when defender McPharlin went off injured. The Lions regained the lead through goals to Patrick Karnezis and James Polkinghorne. Lions by 11 points.
THIRD QUARTER
This time Fremantle made the brighter start and quick goals to Michael Johnson and Broughton gave it the lead. But Rohan Bewick provided a timely response for the Lions. The momentum changed once more though as Hinkley's second goal, followed by another for Pavlich, gave the hosts a nine-point lead. Redden and Tom Rockliff booted goals either side of Pavlich's fifth, as the Lions took advantage of the injury which forced Sandilands from the ground. Lions down by three points.
FOURTH QUARTER
Fremantle missed two gold chances to extend their lead early in the quarter, but Broughton then stepped up with an impressive goal from the pocket. The hosts responded in the absence of their injured stars and dominated the inside 50s throughout the quarter. After missing several set shots, Fremantle were finally rewarded when a Nick Lower goal put them 19 points up. Mark Harvey's team wasted several more chances, but it mattered little as they held on for the win after holding the Lions scoreless in the final term.
NEXT FOUR: THE FIXTURE AHEAD
Brisbane Lions:
The Lions should have a good chance against struggling Port Adelaide at the Gabba next week. It gets more difficult from there, though, as they face Hawthorn in Launceston, Geelong at home and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium before their bye in round 19.
DREAM TEAM HIGHLIGHT
Brisbane Lions: Brown ($258,900) had 39 Dream Team points in
the first nine minutes of the game, but finished with just 62. Tom Rockliff (122 points) and Black (118) were the Lions' best performers.
Fremantle 2.5 5.6 10.8 12.16 (88)
Brisbane Lions 4.1 7.5 10.5 10.5 (65)
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich 5, Broughton 2, Hinkley 2, Crowley, Johnson, Lower?
Brisbane Lions: Brown 2, Rich 2, Retzlaff, Polkinghorne, Karnezis, Bewick, Redden, Rockliff
BEST
Fremantle: Pavlich, Broughton, Silvagni, Fyfe, Crowley, Palmer.
Brisbane Lions: Black, Stiller, Rockliff, Redden, Rich, Leuenberger.
INJURIES
Fremantle: Barlow (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Hayden, Mzungu (calf) replaced in selected side by Hinkley, McPharlin (groin), Sandilands (suspected foot).
Brisbane Lions: Nil.
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Luke McPharlin replaced by Roger Hayden at half-time.
Brisbane Lions: Patrick Karnezis replaced by Ryan Harwood in the third quarter.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Ryan, Pannell, Keating
Official crowd: 30,330 at Patersons Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
