WATCH highlights from the game above on PTV. Can't view the video? Watch on YouTube here.

FREMANTLE has kicked away to beat Port Adelaide by 40 points at Patersons Stadium on Sunday, with captain Matthew Pavlich booting his 500th career goal in the dying minutes. 

The veteran bounced back to form to kick four goals, becoming the first Fremantle player to reach the magical 500 milestone as his team won 12.15 (87) to 7.5 (47).

Inaccuracy from Ross Lyon's men meant Port Adelaide was still a chance of stealing an upset win early in the final quarter, but Fremantle booted four of the last five goals to win comfortably.

It leaves Freo just one game behind ladder leaders West Coast, while Port Adelaide was left to contemplate its sixth consecutive loss, coming after a week of pressure on coach Matthew Primus.

[ Vote: Fan player of the year ]

As has been the case since its round one win over Geelong, team defence won the game for Fremantle, with Port Adelaide restricted to 36 inside 50s and its lowest score of the season.

Midfielder Stephen Hill, who has been tagged routinely this season, was left to roam free early and he punished the Power with a strong return to form, winning 26 possessions (11 contested) and six clearances.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands returned from a calf injury to have a massive 43 hit-outs, but it wasn't converted into a dominant midfield performance, with Michael Barlow and David Mundy (19 disposals each) both subdued.

Ryan Crowley continued a strong individual season, restricting Power midfielder Travis Boak's influence and working hard offensively to have five inside 50s and a goal.

It was Fremantle's biggest winning margin of the season, but it was only 22 points clear going into the final term after kicking an inaccurate 8.14 in the first three quarters.

[ Video: Matt Broadbent's snap from the boundary ]

A towering mark and goal to Sandilands and back-to-back goals for Chris Mayne put the result beyond doubt, leaving Freo with a 5-2 record after seven rounds, despite a wonky forward radar that has restricted its scoring.

Port Adelaide was well served by John McCarthy (30 disposals) and Troy Chaplin (eight rebound 50s), but the list of contributors was short.

The Power return to AAMI Stadium to face North Melbourne in round eight while Fremantle will travel to Aurora Stadium to tackle Hawthorn.

FREMANTLE            2.8    6.9     8.14   12.15 (87)
PORT ADELAIDE     3.2    3.4     6.4     7.5 (47)
 
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Mayne 3, Crowley, Ballantyne, De Boer, Pearce, Sandilands
Port Adelaide: Butcher 2, Broadbent 2, P Stewart, Westhoff, Brad Ebert
 
BEST
Fremantle: Hill, Broughton, Duffield, Pavlich, Crowley, Johnson, Sandilands
Port Adelaide: McCarthy, Chaplin, Cassisi, Trengove, Rodan
 
INJURIES
Fremantle: Pavlich (knee)
Port Adelaide: Nil
 
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Dylan Roberton replaced Lachie Neale in the fourth quarter
Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert replaced Daniel Stewart at three-quarter time
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Ritchie, Margetts, Dalgleish
 
Official crowd: 30,079 at Patersons Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs