History beckons for Fremantle as greatest-ever fightback propels it into grand final

When Hayden Young went back and kicked a remarkable goal from the boundary after the three-quarter time siren, he couldn't have known it would spark his side's greatest comeback.

Never, in 753 AFL games across more than 30 years, had the Dockers recovered from more than 18 points down at the final change to win.

But against Sydney, after what can only be described as an underwhelming three quarters of football, Fremantle created yet more history in a season that keeps on giving to turn a 21-point deficit into a 12-point win.

Shai Bolton produced a stunning long set shot, before Patrick Voss fended Dane Rampe into next week and curled home a brilliant goal to cut the margin to nine points.

Isaiah Dudley, in just his second AFL season, then booted the goal that sent Fremantle to just its second Grand Final.

"We were down for so much, we were playing so poorly for it felt like large parts of it, but we hung in there," Dockers captain Alex Pearce told Fox Footy.

"I don't want to say it's a sense of relief; it's a sense of joy and pride for my teammates in how we were able to play our best footy in that last quarter when the pressure was at its highest."

Flicking the switch

Fremantle fans would have been forgiven for giving up on the Premiership dream midway through the third quarter.

Sydney, undermanned as they were, had an answer for every challenge the Dockers threw their way.

Fremantle had more of the ball but struggled on the short SCG, kicking over the head of their forwards time and again.

Voss, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy combined for just eight disposals in the first half, which was emblematic of the Dockers' struggles.

Sydney's pressure was intense, as it appeared the Dockers would crack as they did against Hawthorn two weeks ago.

But after the final change, they showed the resolve that had made them the best second-half side for the season.

"We put a bit of pressure on them [Sydney], and they probably didn't play with the same dare," Dockers coach Justin Longmuir told Fox Footy.

"It was a game of adjustments. I didn't think our intensity was off early; I think our method was off early."

Swans fairytale ends

With all the personnel missing, it seemed inevitable that at some stage the Swans would run out of legs.

And in the face of the Dockers' onslaught, they wilted.

Errol Gulden was immense with 36 disposals and eight tackles, while Brodie Grundy toiled in the ruck in a salivating contest against Luke Jackson.

But ultimately, the Dockers had too much talent across the ground, and somehow found another gear to run over the top of the Swans.

It brings to an end a season that will forever be remembered for the events in mid-August which saw the Swans suspend five first-choice players.

The Swans produced a stunning win over Brisbane in their qualifying final in which they also lost captain Callum Mills to a serious knee injury, but couldn't repeat the dose.

"We were in a really good position for three-and-a-bit quarters, and to their credit, at this time of the year you can't give a team any momentum, and they took it," Swans coach Dean Cox said.

"They've been the best team all year, and it showed you've got to play a full 120 minutes against those teams to get the result you're after."

Sydney will be pondering what could have been, while Fremantle has an eye on history.