Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe copped a sickening concussion as the Dockers overcame a late scare to beat St Kilda by five points in their AFL clash at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Fyfe's day ended midway through the third quarter when he clashed heads with St Kilda's Josh Battle as they contested a loose ball.
The star Docker lay dazed on the ground for more than a minute, and was so concussed that he couldn't stand up by himself.
Two trainers had to effectively carry Fyfe from the field given how wobbly he was on his feet.
Fremantle led by 10 points at the time, and held off a late Saints comeback to secure the 11.5 (71) to 9.12 (66) victory in front of 38,277 fans.
"That's what happens when you keep eyes on the ball. I knew he'd be unflinching," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said of Fyfe.
"I've spoken to him twice. He's fine. As you'd suspect he's a little bit doey. But he's pretty good. He was really pleased we won and the boys dug in."
Fremantle initially looked set for an easy victory after opening up a 31-point lead early in the second quarter.
But the Saints clawed their way back into the contest, and scored two late goals to close within five points with just eight seconds remaining.
St Kilda seemingly tried to flout the 6-6-6 law by throwing an extra player forward at the final bounce, but the umpires were aware of the ploy and called the Saints player back to his right spot.
Lyon said Fyfe's injury might have inspired his teammates.
"I was a Carlton supporter. I remember Stan Magro knocked out Alex Jesaulenko," Lyon said.
"At three-quarter time I think they were six down and they did it for Jezza. You remember those things as a kid.
"So hopefully the young Dockers supporters remember the time when Nat got knocked out and the team stood up for him."
Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan could come under scrutiny for a head-high bump on Nathan Brown in the second quarter.
The pair were running side by side chasing a loose ball when Hogan delivered a hip-and-shoulder that caught Brown a tad high.
But the fact Brown was able to return to the field and there wasn't any malice in the bump should mean Hogan is cleared.
Michael Walters starred for Fremantle with 27 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, while Luke Ryan (32 disposals) was a rock in defence.
Jack Billings notched 32 touches and two goals for the Saints, with Jade Gresham (20 disposals, two goals) also important.
"They were just way too good for us early, but to the boys' credit they fought hard and got back into the contest," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.
