It was a move that may well have won Fremantle the game, Nat Fyfe playing full forward for part of the third term resulted in two crucial goals as the Gold Coast wrestled back the momentum.

Fyfe finished with 31 touches and two goals in another classy performance in wet and slippery conditions at Metricon Stadium.

Freo 'plug away' and get result

"It was a real arm wrestle in trying conditions and both sides never gave up,” he said.

Fremantle dominated the inside-50 count 53 to 27 but failed to capitalise in the first half, sparking Fyfe’s move forward.

"It just changed the dynamic,” he said.

"The defence deals with the same six or seven players through there all game.

"So throwing someone different forward makes them think a little bit.”

Ross Lyon post-match Q & A

Fyfe said Fremantle did not use the ball well around the ground and inside-50.

"We were a little bit wasteful with the ball,” he said.

"We had more entries into the 50 and more possessions but just didn’t convert.

"On the flip side, they were very accurate and punished us when they went forward."