Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has declared war on his team's slackers after the AFL's perennial underperformers lost the unlosable match.

The Dockers led by as much as 51 points in the first half before previously winless Melbourne turned the match around in remarkable fashion to win 17.17 (119) to 15.23 (113) at the MCG.

It is a result which threatens to spark blood-letting at the Dockers, who now have just one win from seven matches this season and a fortnight to find the heart, pulse and spine they so obviously lacked in the second half.

A clearly frustrated Harvey put his players on notice after the match, saying he would continue to work through his playing list until he could find those who could be counted on to perform week in, week out.

"We've got to work out what we stand for as a football team - quickly. And if not, I'll sort it out," Harvey said.

It was hard to tell where the Dockers stood in the second half - they were too busy lying down as Melbourne did what they liked.

What was more remarkable is the Dockers were dominant to halftime, playing quality football as forward Chris Tarrant (three goals) and midfielders Rhys Palmer and Michael Johnson were in total control.

But the Dockers' meek second half capitulation when put under pressure allowed the Demons to produce the second biggest halftime fightback in AFL/VFL history and conjure their first win of the season.

Only skipper Matthew Pavlich, who kicked five goals and had 20-plus touches, was a four-quarter player for the Dockers.

Harvey admitted a sense of disbelief at some of the things he saw from his side.

"You can't have margins like that at halftime and finish off losing the game," Harvey said.

"The guys have got to work out and judge themselves on what they did after halftime, when it gets tough and we're under pressure, and why we let sides get momentum.

"It's how your players react to that situation and what they want to do about it that matters most.

"I've played 35 or 36 players. I'll keep working through those until I find out in the end who it's going to be."

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