55,010 screaming fans watched Fremantle secure just the second minor premiership in club history on Friday night at Optus Stadium. The 24-point triumph, finished at 16.16 (112) to 13.10 (88) over Adelaide, marked a flawless 12-0 home record for the Dockers across the 2026 home-and-away season. With key forward Jye Amiss kicking five goals and Caleb Serong dominating the midfield, Fremantle locked away top spot on the ladder with a round to spare.
What Is Happening
Fremantle opened Round 23 under immense pressure to rebound from last weekend's narrow defeat against Melbourne. Facing an Adelaide side fighting for top-four survival, the Dockers unleashed a lethal final-quarter surge to record their 19th win of the season, moving to an unassailable 19-3 record.
Scores were locked early in the final quarter after Crows key forward Riley Thilthorpe took a contested mark over Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce to convert his second major. Fremantle then answered with four rapid goals. Michael Frederick sparked the run with an acute set shot, followed by a goalsquare snap from Amiss, an elusive finish from Isaiah Dudley, and a celebratory goal from ruckman Mason Cox.
We are not here to just win the minor premiership; that’s not what we set out to do at the start of the year. But it is a nice little moment to tick off and to get a home final for first week of finals was something we needed to do.
The Background
Friday night served as Fremantle's Retro and Member Thankyou Round, featuring the club in the traditional 1995 purple and green anchor jumper. Milestone celebrations ran high as defender Luke Ryan took the field for his 200th AFL game, becoming the 13th player in Dockers history to reach the mark.
The match also reignited a tense rivalry from earlier in the season when Alex Pearce secured a dramatic win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide entered the contest having made six unforced and tactical changes, including recalling Darcy Fogarty from a three-match suspension and managing veteran forward Taylor Walker. The Crows were also disrupted hours before bounce down when a hotel fire alarm forced the entire travelling squad to evacuate.
The Latest Development
Despite an early miss from 15 metres out, Jye Amiss tore the opening quarter open with three long-range set shots from 50m, 40m, and 35m out. Josh Treacy controlled the skies with six contested marks, though his return of 1.4 left Fremantle vulnerable to a determined Adelaide counter-attack led by Izak Rankine.
Rankine racked up a game-high 39 disposals, 10 clearances, and 717 metres gained to keep the Crows within touching distance through five lead changes in the third quarter. Caleb Serong counteracted the surge by gathering 29 touches, 12 clearances, and two goals — including a booming finish on the run from the centre square. When Adelaide failed to capitalise on early final-quarter chances, Fremantle seized control through midfield dominance, winning overall clearances 44 to 38 and inside-50 entries 60 to 46.
What It Means
By claiming the minor premiership, Fremantle guarantees hosting rights for qualifying finals in Perth throughout September, avoiding interstate travel until a potential Grand Final. Finishing 12-0 at Optus Stadium provides an enormous tactical edge given their defensive pressure and stoppage power in front of home supporters.
For Adelaide, the 14-8 record places their top-four aspirations in severe jeopardy. Matthew Nicks' side faces a must-win clash against Greater Western Sydney in the final home-and-away round while relying on other results to avoid falling into elimination territory.
What Remains Unclear
The severity of an injury scare to Fremantle captain Alex Pearce has not been detailed after his heavily strapped left knee hyper-extended during a third-quarter contest, though he completed the game on ground. Additionally, emerging midfielder-forward Murphy Reid remains unconfirmed for Round 24 as he recovers from a groin injury suffered against Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Fremantle win the 2026 minor premiership?
Yes. Fremantle clinched first place on the AFL ladder with an unassailable 19-3 record after defeating Adelaide by 24 points in Round 23.
How many goals did Jye Amiss kick against Adelaide?
Jye Amiss kicked 5 goals and 1 behind, including three set-shot goals in the opening quarter and a crucial fourth-quarter snap.
What was the final score between Fremantle and Adelaide?
Fremantle scored 16.16 (112) to defeat Adelaide 13.10 (88) at Optus Stadium in Perth.
What did Caleb Serong achieve in the match?
Caleb Serong recorded 29 disposals, 12 clearances, 536 metres gained, and two goals, becoming the second Fremantle player ever to record double-digit clearances, 500+ metres gained, and multiple goals in a single game.
What does this loss mean for Adelaide's finals chances?
Adelaide sits at 14-8 and must defeat GWS in Round 24 while needing other top-eight match results to fall their way to retain a top-four qualifying finals spot.