Round 14's nailbiter may not have gone Freo's way but the club has an impressive record in close contests in recent years.

AFL Media looks at Freo's games decided by 10 points or less, including draws, during the past five years.

Fremantle have been masters of the nailbiting finish under Ross Lyon. Extending the timeframe out to the start of 2012 when Lyon took over, Freo has played in 22 games decided by 10 points or fewer and won 15 of them. A 10-point semi-final defeat in 2012 against Adelaide was a heartbreaker, but they say finals failure is required to steel a group and Fremantle reached a maiden Grand Final the next season. In 2015 when the Freo Dockers finished on top of the ladder, they won all five of their close matches – including a close qualifying final against Sydney. Fremantle is in a rebuilding phase this season, but winning three of four narrow games has been positive for a developing group.

Five that matter

Geelong, round 14, 2017, Simonds Stadium, 10.14 (74) v 11.6 (72)

It looked mission impossible without Nat Fyfe or Aaron Sandilands but the Dockers – fielding their youngest team for 2017 with five of this year's six debutants – were a straight Michael Walters kick from pulling off one of the great victories.

Melbourne, round 4, 2017, MCG 15.14 (104) v 16.10 (106)

Coming off a stunning upset of the Bulldogs, the Dockers booted nine goals in the third quarter, coughed up the lead and had to come from behind late with Cam McCarthy's toepoke sealing a stunning win at the home of football to resurrect the season.

Sydney, Qualifying Final, 2015, Domain Stadium, 10.9 (69) v 7.18 (60)

After finishing on top of the ladder, Freo survived a gutsy effort by the undermanned Swans to book a second home preliminary final in three seasons.

Richmond, round 17, 2015, MCG, 10.18 (78) v 12.10 (72)

Trailing for almost the entire game, Freo snatched a heartstopper when Bachar Houli's kick-in was intercepted and the ball eventually landed in the hands of David Mundy, who kicked the match-winner in the final minute. Mundy broke Tiger hearts again in round eight this year with an after-the-siren major.

Port Adelaide, round 23, 2014, Domain Stadium 16.9 (105) v 14.13 (97)

Needing a win to secure fourth spot and the finals double-chance ahead of Port, Fremantle kicked away by 38 points 12 minutes into the last quarter and then had to hold-on grimly as the Power surged but fell just short. - Travis King