Fremantle coach Trent Cooper hopes the end of his team's record 11-match AFLW winning run will prove to be the wake-up call they need for a tilt at this year's premiership.
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Brisbane shot to the top of the ladder on Saturday after beating the Dockers by 11 points at Fremantle Oval.
Fremantle's first goal of the match didn't come until deep in the final quarter, when Roxy Roux's 45m set shot reduced the margin to five points with 90 seconds remaining.
But the Lions powered the ball forward from the next centre bounce and Ally Anderson kicked the sealer to silence the 3423 crowd.
The 3.7 (25) to 1.8 (14) defeat was Fremantle's first defeat since the 2019 preliminary final, when they lost to Carlton.
Fremantle are still well placed to challenge for this year's flag, and Cooper hopes Saturday's loss will give them the spark they need.
"We saw this coming to be honest. We trained really poorly during the week," Cooper said.
"I think it was a bit of mental fatigue. Today was exactly what we needed to sharpen up that mindset and get ready for the second half of the year.
"We have to go back and make sure we get that relentless pressure into our game.
"It's not ideal to lose, but it's a perfect time to happen. We're 4-1, just past the halfway point, and we can reset and come hard in the second half of the year."
Lions coach Craig Starcevich said the win was an important moment for his fledgling team.
"It's great for the belief," he said.
"We've got a stack of under 22s. So for their belief for their footy career in terms of coming all the way to Perth, knocking off the top side when they're on a streak like that - all that stuff for your footy education is gold.
"That will be something they can park in the memory bank for later."
Emily Bates starred for Brisbane with 26 possessions and three clearances, while Anderson was also important with 15 disposals and a goal.
Fremantle midfielder Kiara Bowers overcame a quiet start to tally 24 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles, but the Dockers' star-studded forward line failed to fire.
Just one goal was booted in the first half - but it was a goal-of-the-year contender.
With little daylight showing in between the big sticks, Brisbane's Courtney Hodder stepped up to the plate and unleashed a spectacular banana from the pocket to spark wild celebrations.
Australian Associated Press
