FREMANTLE faces the prospect of being without prized recruit Jesse Hogan for a significant period, with the former Demon hurting his troublesome right foot again.
Hogan's serious setback in the opening term made worse the Dockers' 13.7 (85) to 11.5 (71) defeat at the MCG, only three weeks after they upset Collingwood at the same venue.
Melbourne snapped a four-match losing streak but remains in the bottom four, while Fremantle is just one win, plus ample percentage, ahead of the chasing pack outside the top eight.
Dockers star Michael Walters, who was reported for headbutting late in the third term, threatened to be the match-winner for the fourth game in a row.
Walters snatched back the lead inside the first eight minutes of the final term after receiving a free kick against Bayley Fritsch, having taken a one-handed mark, anyway.
However, the Demons never trailed once James Harmes kicked truly from the goalsquare after a brilliant Angus Brayshaw pass.
After the year-long debate about how Hogan's absence was affecting Melbourne's forward line, Tom McDonald chose this afternoon to announce his form slump over.
McDonald (28 disposals, seven marks) steadily built into the contest and was responsible for two telling blows to Fremantle's winning hopes that followed Harmes' score.
Firstly, there was his magnificent set-shot strike from beyond 50m – after winning a free kick under a high ball – then he expertly bounced through his third goal for the day.
Low-profile 11-gamer Tim Smith also bobbed up with three goals in a complementary role.
All Australian midfielder Clayton Oliver was another excellent performer when the match was on the line, finishing with 28 possessions, 11 clearances and six inside 50s.
There were also important contributions from Max Gawn, Jay Lockhart, Viney, Brayshaw and defender Sam Frost, who recovered from some poor moments earlier in the game.
Saturday's match marked the first time Hogan and ex-Sun Steven May faced off since a blockbuster trade involving multiple clubs in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
That focus quickly subsided when Hogan hobbled from the ground in the opening quarter with a sore foot, and he was done for the day shortly after a brief return.
He didn't play for the Demons after round 21 last year because of a stress fracture in the navicular bone of the same foot.
May was playing just his third senior game in red and blue after suspension and a groin complaint, and spent the opening quarter on Hogan before the latter's day ended.
Fremantle otherwise enjoyed a good start to the day, jumping out to a 17-point advantage in the second term thanks to its clearance and contested ball dominance.
Blistering beginnings from Nat Fyfe and Bradley Hill, who had 23 touches between them at quarter-time, helped as well.
They finished with 31 disposals apiece.
But Melbourne's ability to correct some of those earlier discrepancies and improve its kicking inside 50 resulted in the game becoming a dogfight.
The Dockers held sway by six points at half-time and five at three-quarter time, but the injury toll – including losing Stephen Hill in the third term – and some inspired Demons play counted against them.
MEDICAL ROOM
Melbourne: The Demons appeared to come through the game unscathed.
Fremantle: Jesse Hogan came from the ground in the first quarter complaining of a sore right foot and his return to the field afterwards didn't last long. Hogan, whose season ended early last year because of a navicular issue on the same foot, did not play after quarter-time. Stephen Hill (left hamstring) was also done for the day early in the third term. Nathan Wilson (ankle) and Sean Darcy (ribs) also had issues throughout the contest.
NEXT UP
Melbourne snapped its four-game losing skid on Saturday and will take aim at back-to-back victories when it travels to the Gabba to face the improved Lions on Sunday week. Fremantle's sobering defeat precedes it hosting Carlton at Optus Stadium next Sunday.
MELBOURNE 2.1 5.4 9.6 13.7 (85)
FREMANTLE 4.1 6.4 10.5 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Melbourne: Smith 3, McDonald 3, Lockhart 2, Petracca, Oliver, Weideman, Gawn, Harmes
Fremantle: Matera 3, Walters 3, Cox, Langdon, Darcy, Tucker, Brayshaw
BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Gawn, T.McDonald, Viney, Lockhart, Brayshaw
Fremantle: B.Hill, Fyfe, Matera, Walters, Conca, Langdon
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Fremantle: Jesse Hogan (foot), Stephen Hill (hamstring)
Reports: Michael Walters (Fremantle) reported for headbutting
Umpires: Foot, Deboy, Findlay, Dore
Official crowd: 20,211 at the MCG
