Key forwards Jesse Hogan and Matt Taberner fired as Fremantle kicked their highest score of the AFL season in a 64-point thumping of North Melbourne.
The Dockers’ restrictive defensive system strangled the Kangaroos as their superior ball use and ability to open up play through the middle of the ground set up scoring opportunities.
Hogan (four goals) and Taberner (three) benefited most from the slick movement to combine for seven goals in the 15.9 (99) to 5.5 (35) victory at Metricon Stadium.
Goal sneaks Michael Walters and Lachie Schultz also got in on the act with three goals each.
It was the Dockers’ biggest winning margin under first-year coach Justin Longmuir, who has won plaudits for implementing a new game style with his developing side.
The result was North Melbourne’s seventh straight defeat as they failed to give veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein the celebration he deserved as he reached the 250-game milestone.
The 32-year-old veteran had a tough battle with Fremantle talls Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb.
The Dockers won clearances (29-23), dominated contested (+28) and uncontested possession (+72), and had a whopping 52-35 advantage in inside-50s.
Lobb took four contested marks, kicked a goal and had an impact around the ground.
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe finished with 24 disposals and six clearances despite copping a stray boot to the face during the second quarter.
Blake Acres and veteran David Mundy were outstanding through the midfield, while Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox held up well in defence for the Dockers.
North’s Taylor Garner kicked a final-quarter goal as he got through his first match of the season unscathed on return from a serious hamstring injury.
Jed Anderson, Shaun Higgins and Trent Dumont were the Kangaroos’ major contributors.
North Melbourne finish their season when they meet finals-bound West Coast on Thursday, while Fremantle can help shape the top-eight in their clash with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.