Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says his side's crucial victory over Sydney has given the Dockers an ideal build-up for the derby against West Coast.

Fremantle moved to sixth on the AFL ladder after their 15.8 (98) to 13.9 (87) win at the SCG on Sunday.

In a match played in driving rain, the home side were 39 points down in the last quarter before five consecutive goals cut the margin to six points with less than two minutes remaining.

But a free-kick against Swans' defender Heath Grundy for a throw allowed Fremantle's Nick Lower to seal the game for the Dockers, as Sydney dropped to eighth spot.

"The Eagles (10-5) are a game ahead of us. They've been spoken up a lot and we understand exactly where this game sits," Harvey said when asked about next Sunday's derby against fifth-placed West Coast.

"It's probably the ideal build-up really."

In a further boost for the Dockers, Harvey rated All-Australian ruckman Aaron Sandilands as a 50-50 chance to return from a toe injury this week.

Geelong broke a two-game losing streak but had to fight hard against Brisbane who led at three-quarter time at the Gabba on Sunday.

The second-placed Cats won 20.13 (133) to 15.14 (104). James Podsiadly booted eight goals for Geelong while Lions' skipper Jonathan Brown was concussed in a marking contest but was cleared of any broken bones.

North Melbourne rebounded from last week's record 117-point loss to Collingwood with a 21.16 (142) to 17.9 (111) victory over Western Bulldogs.

Drew Petrie kicked five goals including three in the last quarter as the Kangaroos climbed one spot to 11th and the Bulldogs fell three places to 12th.

Collingwood overcame the absence of star defender Heath Shaw - who was banned by the league for eight matches over a betting scandal - to post a 13.20 (98) to 11.13 (79) win over fourth-placed Carlton in front of 85,936 fans at the MCG on Saturday.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the Saints had set out to honour their 1966 premiership coach Allan Jeans, who died last week, with their performance against West Coast at Etihad Stadium. The 10th-placed Saints won 13.4 (82) to 9.7 (61).

Lyon played footage of Jeans to his players before Saturday night's game.

Gold Coast climbed off the bottom of the ladder with their third win of the season as they upset Richmond 12.13 (85) to 9.16 (70) on Saturday.

It was a controversial loss for the Tigers after they chose to accept a financial deal to play the home game in Cairns on Saturday instead of the MCG.

The 13th-placed Tigers also lost a home game to Port Adelaide in Darwin in round 10.

Melbourne beat Port 17.11 (113) to 14.8 (92) at Darwin's TIO Stadium on Saturday night. Coach Matthew Primus' side dropped to last on the ladder with their 14th loss in 16 games.

Essendon climbed to seventh following their 12.12 (84) to 10.13 (73) win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP