Fremantle's fight for Finals - and a top four spot - hung in the balance at half-time at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
The Dockers, who had led by as much as 26 points early in the second quarter, had been dealt a brutal blow by a sharp Port Adelaide outfit, conceding eight goals in the second term, four of which scored consecutively in a six-minute patch.
They now trailed by two points at the main break, with momentum pushing in Port Adelaide's favour.
However, a timely spray and a couple of adjustments on the whiteboard from senior coach Justin Longmuir made a world of difference, as Fremantle kicked back into gear to steal a thrilling six-point victory in the final minute, firmly placing the Purple Haze in premiership contention.
"[I used half-time] to give them a bit of a spray, because we were minus 14 in the contest and laid six tackles in the quarter, which is not the team we want to be," Longmuir told media post-game.
"We're making a habit of doing that [late comebacks]. I said to the players after the game, I'm really proud.
"There's mixed emotions because I'm really proud of the way we fought it out and the way we adapted to the way the game was played and what the game needed.
"But we probably had our worst 20 minutes or 15 minutes of footy we have played for a long time in that second quarter. To concede eight goals in a quarter, it was just the way we were conceding them and the speed at which they got on top and started kicking goals, it was unacceptable."
Longmuir's coaching prowess was on display in the second-half, making a timely adjustment which proved to be a masterstroke to secure Fremantle the win.
"[Port Adelaide] were coming out the front of contest too much. Not just centre bounces, but all contests around the ground, so we moved Jaegar [O'Meara] into a different role, which gave us protection at contest," Longmuir said.
"He went to the wing and Fyfe came on and played that [inside] role. I thought that sured the contest balance up for us. Once we got the contest even... the game was back on equal terms."
The tactical switch up paid off immediately, with Fyfe instantly making his presence felt in the do-or-die final quarter, registering six disposals, five contested possessions, three clearances and three score involvements. O'Meara excelled on the wing, raking in 14 disposals and four inside 50s from there in the second half.
"We stuck at it, we've found it hard to beat Port here, it was the first time we've beaten them so to come out on top [was good]," Longmuir said.
"We made it hard on ourselves that second quarter, but in the end all we had to was win and we got it done."
Longmuir also showered in-form key forward Patrick Voss with praise after he kicked a three-goal haul for the fourth consecutive week, taking the breakout star to 31 majors for the season.
Voss quietened the rowdy Power crowd with a clutch fourth-quarter goal to put the Dockers ahead, delivering a shushing gesture to some nearby fans in the process, which Longmuir enjoyed.
"I love it, in the right doses," Longmuir said.
"He's got to be careful he doesn't tip over and let his aggression turn into free kicks against.
"He's got to tread the line of being dangerous with some of his physicality, but we need that.
"It's part of coming on the road, to be able to stand up to the crowd and stand up to the opposition and give it back. He's finding the balance really well at the moment.
"He's a really team oriented player and gives us a lot of energy, so I love what he's bringing."
Fremantle will face one of their biggest tests of the season next week, welcoming the Brisbane Lions to Optus Stadium in what will be a must-win clash for both sides, if they wish to finish inside the top four.
