FREMANTLE proved it didn't need a forward line to kick a winning score as it held on for a stirring victory over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Playing without any recognised tall forwards, the Dockers' seven-point win was a triumph for grit and determination as they made the most of their limited inside 50 entries to get home 10.6 (66) to 8.11 (59). It came after Fremantle had lost to Adelaide three times last year, twice during the regular season and heartbreakingly in the semi-final at the same ground, when the Dockers led by 29 points before being run down. Adelaide again threatened to spoil the party late as a dour day reached a thrilling crescendo in the final quarter as controversy and drama reigned. Crows star Patrick Dangerfield first had a goal overruled on a video review that would have put the home side in front, before kicking one that counted moments later. Fremantle hit back quickly with goals to Michael Barlow and substitute Cam Sutcliffe to regain control and just 10 goals eventually proved enough. Adelaide's Jason Porplyzia on the run from Michael Johnson and Garrick Ibbotson Picture: Reed Sarah Dockers tagger Ryan Crowley quickly realised he was Adelaide's chief enemy as he was physically targeted by the Crows at every opportunity in the opening term. Like in last year's semi-final, Crowley again went to Dangerfield, who also had a surprise in store for Freo's Doig medallist when he dragged him to the goal square in the early going. The result was two easy first quarter goals over the back of the pack for Dangerfield, as the home side controlled the stoppages and did the bulk of the attacking with a strong breeze to claim the early ascendancy. Star onballer Nat Fyfe was swung to full-forward to begin the second term as Ross Lyon searched for a viable forward structure, while defender Zac Dawson also spent periods in attack. It was Tendai Mzungu who drew the Dockers closer as he skidded through a well measured running goal from the 50m arc. Hayden Ballantyne made amends for a dropped mark in the goal square when he scrambled a goal out of nothing before Fremantle took the lead when Nic Suban nailed his second with an instinctive snap. Hayden Ballantyne Celebrates his goal while Daniel Talia walks away Picture: Reed Sarah It was a significant moment for the Dockers and Suban celebrated like he knew it, with the visitors grabbing the lead nine minutes into the second stanza, having trailed by 14 points during the opening term. Fremantle was turning the clearance numbers around and the team's ability to get a spare man on the defensive side of the stoppage provided a key outlet numerous times. Barlow and David Mundy got down and dirty for a combined 10 clearances in the first-half, while the run and poise of Stephen Hill was a welcome addition having missed the past four matches. Lyon clearly believes size does matter, and he felt small was best on this wet and wild day. Inexperienced ruckman/forward Jack Hannath was yanked and fitted with the red vest late in the second term, allowing for more run in the form of substitute Cam Sutcliffe. It's not the first time Lyon has pulled the trigger early with a tactical substitution - Hannath had just two disposals - and it turned Freo into a purple mosquito fleet given fellow tall Alex Silvagni had also been a late withdrawal after struggling to shake off his ankle problem. Fyfe's goal at the 16-minute mark was the last goal of the second quarter, though the Dockers would have been content with the arm wrestle having kicked five of the last six goals and they took an 11-point advantage to half-time. Crows captain Nathan van Berlo scratches his head, Andy Otten in the background Picture: Reed Sarah The Dockers absorbed plenty of pressure from Adelaide in the third term to retain the lead at three-quarter time, with the Crows having 16 forward entries to six as they failed to make the most of their chances while going to the scoring end. The sides kicked two goals each as Crowley fought back in his tussle with Dangerfield, stopping the key midfielder from winning a single possession for the term. Jason Porplyzia threw Adelaide a lifeline late in the third with a long bomb from 50m and the Crows got the crucial first goal of the last quarter when Richard Douglas kicked truly. It set the scene for Dangerfield to take centre stage but the Dockers refused to submit. BEST Dockers: Barlow, Mundy, Hill, Johnson, D. Pearce, McPharlin. Crows: Sloane, Laird, Dangerfield, Thompson, Jacobs, van Berlo. INJURIES Dockers: Crows: Mackay (hip) Reports: Nil Umpires: S Stewart, S Meredith, S Wenn Crowd: 27,684 at AAMI Stadium