Fremantle star Shai Bolton produced a game-breaking final quarter on Saturday night to keep a spirited Carlton at arm's length and ensure the Freo Dockers won their sixth straight game by 14 points at Optus Stadium. 

With Freo challenged by the Blues throughout the first three quarters and never able to completely break away, Bolton put his foot down in a brilliant individual quarter to win the Arthur Leggett Medal as best afield and seal the important win on Anzac Day.

The former Tiger had 15 of his 33 disposals in the final quarter and booted two crucial goals, as Fremantle continued to stack the wins in 2026 without hitting their top gear for four full quarters.  

They controlled the midfield for long periods, got on top through their imposing key forwards, and then lifted in the final quarter when they needed to, kicking four unanswered goals to turn an 18-point margin into a match-winning 42-point break.

Justin Longmuir's team is now closing in on its best start to a season under the coach and will match the 7-1 platform they laid in 2022 if they get past the Western Bulldogs next Friday night at Marvel Stadium. 

Luke Jackson was outstanding in the ruck and challenged Bolton for best afield honours, finishing with 21 disposals, 31 hitouts and five marks as he switched seamlessly between ruck and midfield roles. 

His two running goals were thrilling highlights and indicative of a player at the peak of his powers.

Understated midfielder Corey Wagner (27 and five inside 50s) was creative and hard-working, while Andrew Brayshaw (26 and 10 tackles) was prominent after playing an unheralded defensive role for the past fortnight. 

Fremantle had to make a pre-game adjustment when Pat Voss came down ill, with the key forward undergoing an on-ground fitness test before he was withdrawn and replaced with midfielder Jeremy Sharp. 

It left the Freo Dockers shorter in attack than usual but still boasting in-form targets in Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss, who combined to kick Freo's first three goals in a fast start.

Carlton forward Brodie Kemp kept the Blues in touch, but Fremantle's stoppage ascendency was a major concern for coach Michael Voss, with Freo winning the clearances 11-4 for the quarter.

The trend continued to start the second term, with Jackson kicking a brilliant running goal from 50m after helping chain the ball out of the first centre ball-up.

Amiss opened a game-high 19-point lead when his swerving set shot snuck through, but every Freo goal was countered by the Blues as the visitors grew in spirit, drew free kicks, and capitalised on chances.

Mason Cox's first goal as a Freo Docker came at a good time, marking on the lead to give Fremantle a two-goal break at half-time, with the American showman grabbing his jumper passionately.

Carlton played with dare in the third quarter and cut the margin to five points after goals from Mitch McGovern and Ashton Moir, with the match entering dangerous territory for Freo before a pair of goals from Sharp extended the margin to 18 points at the last break. 

When Bolton snapped a classy goal 20 seconds into the final term, and then converted on the run three minutes later, the margin was 30 points, with the Freo Dockers breaking the game open and giving themselves valuable breathing room to survive the Blues late flurry.   

As well as Kemp, who booted four goals, Sam Walsh (32 and eight inside 50s) was a standout for the travelling team, with captain Patrick Cripps (31 and 11 clearances) doing his best work in tight. 

The Blues won the inside 50s (53-51) and contested possessions (132-129) and would take plenty of heart from their fighting performance after a challenging week.   

FREMANTLE                      3.3   8.4   11.7   16.7 (103) 
CARLTON                             2.1   6.5   8.7   13.11 (89)   

GOALS
Fremantle: Treacy 3, Amiss 3, Sharp 2, Bolton 2, Cox 2, Frederick 2, Jackson 2
Carlton: Kemp 4, McGovern 3, Moir 2, Carroll, Evans, Walsh 

BEST
Fremantle: Bolton, Jackson, Brayshaw, Treacy, Wagner, Amiss, B Cox 
Carlton: Kemp, Walsh, Hayward, Carroll, Cripps, McGovern 

LATE CHANGES 
Fremantle: Pat Voss (illness) replaced in the selected team by Jeremy Sharp 
Carlton: Ollie Hollands (managed) replaced in the selected team by Matt Cottrell  

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil 
Carlton: Nil 

Crowd: 54,100 at Optus Stadium