Immortality awaits: How Hayden Young kept the Freo dream alive

But if not for the left boot of Hayden Young, the dream may already be shattered.

Down by 27 points when the three-quarter time siren sounded, Young with ball in hand.

All 45,129 pairs of eyes at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and a nation of footy fans, were glued to the kick.

Fremantle’s season was on life support, until the 25 year-old reminded everyone why he’s considered the Dockers best ball user, sending the ball high into the Sydney sky, piercing through the big sticks from the junction of the 50m arc and boundary.

As Fremantle’s road to the premiership was fast approaching a dead end, Young got the journey back on track.

And just as impressive as his precise, long-range bomb, was the stare-down dished out to the local fans offering plenty of advice.

It signalled the Dockers intent and was the fire starter Fremantle desperately needed.

It prompted a change in approach, playing with freedom, courage and belief, no fear of failure, ultimately delivering the most memorable of final quarters imaginable.

The comeback was the Dockers largest three-quarter time deficit - and on preliminary final night where there’s nowhere to hide, it speaks volumes of the make-up of this group.

They’ve stared down defeat on multiple occasions during this series after being embarrassed by the Hawks in the qualifying final.

But when the games have been slipping away, as it was on Friday night, Fremantle’s biggest stars shine brightest.

Alongside Young, Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson and Andy Brayshaw all had either huge final terms, or were involved in decisive moments.

All are A-graders, all identified by the club as players they desperately wanted.

Young, Serong and Brayshaw are top-10 picks while Fremantle parted ways with a swag of first-round selections to secure Bolton and Jackson when returning to WA.