The Flagmantle dream is still alive for 2026 after ruckman Luke Jackson produced a Herculean display to lead Fremantle to a pulsating 14-point semifinal win over Geelong in Perth.
In front of 59,725 fans at Optus Stadium on Friday night, Fremantle skipped out to a 38-7 lead before Geelong hit the front in the third quarter on the back of three quick goals to Oliver Henry.
Staring down the barrel of a straight-sets finals exit, Fremantle lifted when it mattered most, with Jackson the biggest hero of them all.
Jackson kicked two late goals in the third quarter and set up another for Patrick Voss to give Fremantle back the lead.
In a pressure-filled final term, Geelong cut a 24-point deficit back to eight points with 75 seconds remaining.
But Wharfie Time - played for just the second time this year - sent the crowd into a frenzy, with Voss kicking his fourth goal from the ensuing centre clearance as Fremantle sealed the 18.12 (120) to 16.10 (106) victory.
The win set up a preliminary final against the Swans in Sydney next week.
