Fremantle Dockers stars say belief never wavered before stunning comeback to secure preliminary final win

Fremantle superstars Alex Pearce, Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson say their side’s belief never wavered before they produced a brilliant comeback to claim a stunning preliminary final victory over Sydney.

In the shadows of three-quarter-time, the Dockers found themselves behind by 27 points, having been unable to deal with the Swans’ frantic pressure.

But with their season on the line, they responded in magnificent style, kicking the game’s last six goals to secure a 12-point win which punched their ticket to a second grand final appearance in the club’s 32-year history.

In the moments after the final siren, Pearce said he was bursting with pride.

“That was a tough game of footy. For large parts of that game, we were clearly down on the scoreboard, and they were playing really good footy, and we were just hanging in there, we hadn’t played our best,” Pearce told Seven.

“Words can’t describe how proud I am of everyone stepping up. There were so many moments where guys just stood up under the fiercest of pressure.

“We played our best footy in the last quarter, when everything was against us. I’m so proud of everyone.”

Jackson said he was “honestly in disbelief” at the Dockers’ comeback.

“I thought last week was good, I think this week went to another level,” Jackson said.

“I, personally, have so much faith in his group and I know that every single staff member, every single player in this team, we know we can get it done against anyone.

“We’ve got so much trust, so it doesn’t surprise me that we came out and won this game, but I just can’t believe we’re in the big dance.”

Bolton — who was one of several Dockers to lift massively in the all-important final term — said his side had remained calm in the face of pressure, as they had throughout the entire season.

“We said, if we play our way, we can beat a team like Sydney,” Bolton said.

“Credit to them — for three quarters, they had us the whole way.

“JL (coach Justin Longmuir) was just saying if we play aggressive and play our way, we’ve got 25 minutes . . . all the boys just played their role and from there, that’s the result.”

Fremantle’s current side are now one win away from securing the club’s first premiership, and Pearce, Bolton and Jackson were all stoked to have earned the opportunity.

“Clearly, it’s something we’ve all thought a lot about. Thinking about it doesn’t win it, though,” Pearce said.

“Playing footy like we did in that last quarter, that’s what will win it for us.”

“It’d be crazy. I grew up supporting Freo, that’s why I wanted to come back home,” Bolton added.

“I can’t wait to get there. I’m just super excited.”

Jackson said: “It’s a dream come true. It was a dream come true to do it at Melbourne as well, but I grew up supporting Freo, got raised on Freo.

“We’ve got one more to go, but I’m so proud of this club.”

Sydney’s shattered stand-in captain Dane Rampe heaped praise on the Dockers.

“That was an outstanding win by Fremantle. They should take a lot of confidence from that. It shows the quality outfit that they are,” Rampe said.