Fremantle have fought bravely for a second week in a row to go down by nine points against St Kilda at Domain Stadium on Sunday. 

In a white-knuckle contest, Fremantle led at every change but the persistence of the Saints paid off as they clinched victory in the dying stages of the game.

Despite Freo star Michael Walters' stunning six-goal performance, it was St Kilda forward Josh Bruce who was the hero in the last two minutes when he snapped a magnificent goal from heavy congestion to put his side in front.

Fremantle surged the ball forward from the centre bounce but couldn't score, and Bruce sealed the hard-fought 12.17 (89) to 12.8 (80) victory by running into an open goal on the final siren.

Fremantle livewire Walters slumped to the ground exhausted at the final siren after doing everything in his power to lead his side to victory, coming off the heartbreak of shanking a shot in the dying seconds to upset Geelong last round.

Walters had 32 touches – 18 contested – to go with his three clearances and 6.2 – including his sixth major late in the fourth quarter that put Fremantle back in front.

But the Saints started to convert late in the game, despite shooting themselves in the foot with inaccuracy in front of goal.

St Kilda led for two minutes in the first term, but despite levelling the scores several times only hit the front again eight minutes into the last stanza when Tim Membrey kicked truly after skipper Nick Riewoldt won a controversial 50m penalty on his teammate's behalf.

Fremantle lost giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands in the first quarter to another hamstring injury in his comeback game after six weeks on the sidelines. 

Lyon's decision to stick with raw ruckman Sean Darcy (16 disposals, 33 hit-outs) paid off, with the second-gamer competing strongly against Billy Longer (48 hit-outs) and kicking a memorable first goal off one step outside 50. 

Darcy sent a scare through the camp minutes after Sandilands went down when stumbled punch-drunk after copping Longer's knee to his head at a centre bounce. But showed that Fremantle have a tough player on their hands by pushing the trainers away and playing on.

The clash came at a cost for both sides, with veteran St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert stretchered off in the third quarter after being driven forward in a Cam McCarthy tackle and hitting his head on the ground.

McCarthy showed great sportsmanship checking on Gilbert after the incident.

But amid the drama Fremantle charged to a 16-point quarter-time lead, inspired by fleet-footed smalls Walters and Hayden Ballantyne (two goals). 

It was only the fourth time this season Fremantle have led at the first change, and their biggest advantage since round three's stunning win over the Western Bulldogs (19). 

But the Saints stormed back with Jake Carlisle igniting the fightback with two goals from defence.

Carlisle sparked an ugly melee after pushing Ballantyne as he lay prone on the ground following a heavy landing, and then booted his first team-lifter minutes later, before Jade Gresham (three goals) seized on Lachie Weller's ballooned switch across half-back.

Darcy and Brennan Cox's first career majors ensured Freo just kept their noses in front 47-44 at the long break.

A solid performance from Ethan Hughes (30 disposals) in defence was a positive sign to come from the loss.

FREMANTLE       4.3     7.5      10.7    12.8 (80)                  
ST KILDA           1.5      6.8     8.14    12.17 (89)           

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 6, Ballantyne 2, Neale, Darcy, Cox, B.Hill
St Kilda: Gresham 3, Bruce 3, Carlisle 2, Membrey 2, Billings, Steele,

BEST 
Fremantle: Walters, Neale, Hill, Johnson, Darcy, Hamling
St Kilda: Carlisle, Stevens, Gresham, Ross, Steele 

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Sandilands (right hamstring)
St Kilda: Gilbert (concussion)

Reports: Jack Steven for striking Hayden Ballantyne in the second quarter

Umpires: Margetts, Deboy, Williamson

Official crowd: 30,541 at Domain Stadium