Fremantle are away to their best start to an AFL season since 2015 after piling on 10 unanswered goals to smash a disappointing Essendon by 48 points.
The lead changed six times during a topsy-turvy first-half at Marvel Stadium as the Dockers took a three-point advantage into the main break.
But Fremantle blew Sunday's round-five game open by booting 6.3 to 0.1 during an irresistible third term to ensure their first win against the Bombers in Melbourne since 2010.
Essendon did not kick a goal from late in the second quarter until just seven minutes before fulltime as Dockers forward Matt Taberner starred with a career-best seven-goal haul, and the largest bag of majors by any player this season.
Leading by 40 points at three-quarter-time, Fremantle closed out an emphatic 16.11 (107) to 8.11 (59) victory in a result that could give them belief of playing finals for the first time in seven years.
The percentage-boosting win lifted the Dockers to second-place on the AFL ladder at 4-1, above premiership contenders the Brisbane Lions and only behind rampaging Melbourne.
Fremantle's midfield, led by ruckman Sean Darcy and on-ballers Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Will Brodie, showed up the opposing brigade badly missing Zach Merrett and Jake Stringer.
The Dockers produced the demolition job without two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, who remains sidelined until the second half of the season due to a back injury.
"I thought it was a really mature performance...we had a handful of players having average days and our ability to turn that around and get a more even more performance and get the game on our terms was pleasing," Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said.
"There was some times when we looked really vulnerable and maybe momentum in the game was against us but they were able to hold up."
Darcy Parish played a lone hand in the middle for Essendon as Fremantle won the clearance count 43-29.
The Bombers have concerns all over the ground, with their defence conceding more than 100 points for the fifth-straight game to open the 2022 season.
It is all smiles for Longmuir's team but Essendon are in serious trouble at 1-4 after being tipped by some experts to win this year's premiership.
"It felt like we were well and truly in the game, probably couldn't quite cash in on some opportunities that we created pretty well," Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.
"It's a bit disappointing we weren't able to step up and get in the arm wrestle that was required at that time."
The Bombers have eight days to prepare for their traditional Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood, while Fremantle host Carlton in an intriguing match at Optus Stadium next Saturday night.
Essendon will be sweating on the fitness of ruckman Andrew Phillips, who was subbed out in the first quarter for Tom Cutler.
