FREMANTLE has thrown a barrier in front of Essendon's finals charge, out-working and out-classing a flat Bombers outfit to win by 54 points at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Bombers had the chance to seal a finals berth for the first time since 2004, but for the second time in a month they travelled west to Subiaco Oval and disappointed, trailing at every change as the home side ran out 21.15 (141) to 13.9 (87) winners. 

The loss leaves Matthew Knights' men just two points clear of the pursuing Hawthorn in eighth spot, making next Saturday's MCG clash with the Hawks a virtual elimination final.

There was little at stake for Fremantle, who jumped Richmond to 14th place on the ladder, but the side's sixth win for the season went a long way to erasing last week's embarrassing 63-point loss to last-placed Melbourne.

A selfless defensive game from Paul Hasleby, who kept key Bomber Jobe Watson to six possessions, and a dominant ruck performance from All-Australian fancy Aaron Sandilands (42 hit-outs and 21 possessions) set up the win.

Elsewhere, the hard run and tough inside work of David Mundy (23 possessions and seven clearances), Matthew Pavlich (25 and two goals) and Nic Suban (25 and eight clearances) only made Essendon's lack of run and carry all the more obvious.     

Angus Monfries, who was so crucial in the Bombers' stunning win over St Kilda last week, was smothered by Steven Dodd, and Essendon's leading goal-kicker was first-year player Michael Hurley, who booted three.

Ricky Dyson (26 possessions) and Brent Prismall (25) were other Bombers who could hold their heads high. 

Watson looked set to continue his splendid run of form when he booted the opener six minutes in, but Hasleby soon shut him down, with the star Bomber recording just three more possessions to half time.

The attention given to Watson contrasted with the lack of respect shown to Freo youngster Clancee Pearce, who snuck forward for two impressive goals in three minutes early in the first.

Livewire forward Hayden Ballantyne, who finished with four goals, matched his teammate's effort from hard up on the boundary as the home side continued to make the most of limited opportunities.

While Essendon had the bulk of possession in the first quarter, they couldn't spot up a forward target, and the midfield run that is usually their prime weapon was lacking. 

Hurley took a tough pack mark and converted for Essendon before Monfries brought scores level.

Luke McPharlin was looking lively in his 150th match and kicked Fremantle away to a six-point lead at quarter time.

Sandilands' dominance didn't let up in the second and as the giant ruckman pushed the ball forward continually to the advantage of his teammates. Paul Duffield and Kepler Bradley both converted running goals from beyond 50m as the home side took control.

Sandilands went forward and goalled to open up a 28-point lead, and the ease at which Fremantle was winning the ball out of the middle was bringing Essendon's endeavour into question.

Consecutive goals to Brent Stanton, who was being well held by Stephen Hill, and Cale Hooker made the margin manageable, but the Bombers' response was short-lived.

Mundy threw the ball on his boot instinctively for a first-half highlight, and McPharlin converted another tough set shot to open up a 27-point half time lead.

If the Bombers were going to challenge, they needed to show something in the third term from the outset. Instead, they conceded the first three goals as Fremantle raced to a 44-point lead.

The sides exchanged goals for the rest of the quarter and Fremantle entered the last change 39-points clear.

The Bombers mounted an assault in the fourth, kicking the first two goals of the term through Hurley and Nathan Lovett-Murray, but just when the momentum seemed to have shifted, Pavlich lifted.

Some tough inside work from workhorse Matt de Boer ended with the Freo skipper, and he stood tall to seal the game with his second goal. Ballantyne then put an exclamation point on the result with three fourth-quarter goals to ensure Fremantle fans left Subiaco Oval happy after their side's last home game of the season.

Fremantle     4.2    9.6    15.11   21.15 (141)
Essendon     3.2    5.3    9.8        13.9 (87)

GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, McPharlin, Pearce 3, Pavlich, Suban 2, Bradley, Duffield, Hasleby, Headland, Ibbotson, Mundy, Sandilands
Essendon: Hurley 3, Lovett-Murray 2, Davey, Hooker, McPhee, Monfries, Neagle, Stanton, Watson, Winderlich

BEST
Fremantle: Sandilands, Mundy, Hasleby, Pavlich, Suban, Dodd, McPharlin, Bradley
Essendon: Hurley, Dyson, Prismall, Winderlich, Lovett 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil    
Essendon: Lonergan replaced in selected side by Jetta, Davey (shoulder), Hurley (thumb)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Sully, Avon, McInerney

Official crowd: 32,413 at Subiaco Oval

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.