They found themselves on the wrong end of a Fremantle Dockers boilover in a 16.10 (106) to 11.16 (82) defeat in front of 11,277 at Manuka Oval on Saturday.

But the news could yet get worse with Giants co-captain Phil Davis taken from the field with a left ankle injury - just a week after they lost Callan Ward to a season-ending knee injury.

More frustrating for Leon Cameron is the potential for this game being one he looks back on in the race to the finals and thinks "what if?"

For Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, the question will be one of unrivalled optimism after his troops rose to second on the AFL ladder thanks to a six-goal fourth term - "just how far can we go?"

"We think it's only a rolled ankle, we'll see how it goes. We'll find that out in the next 48 hours," Cameron said.

"It's disappointing, but that's life. We'll see whether he is right for next week, but if he is not then I'm sure there are some hungry players ready to jump into his spot. We think at this stage it is just a rolled ankle.

"What's happened with Cal is done and dusted, we all know he is going to be out for the rest of the year. Every team has got to deal with setbacks and player injuries. We're no different. Our midfield just lowered their colours, they're a proud group and I'm confident they'll want to get to work during the week on the training track, review their performance and do something about it next week.

"They just worked harder. Fremantle deserved to win. They were probably the better side for about 80 per cent of the game. When the whips were cracking in the last quarter, they just worked extremely hard. Around the hunt they beat us up."

Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe loomed as Matt de Boer's next big scalp in the lead-up. He didn't start on him but the Giants tagger was always going to find his way to his former teammate.

When the two lined up on each other with the game in the balance to start the fourth quarter, it was clear this match-up would go a long way towards deciding the contest. It was the Docker that prevailed as he racked up 31 disposals to inspire Fremantle's victory.

While it was set up by the likes of Fyfe, David Mundy and Michael Walters, Fremantle looked to have a new lease on life up front to secure the four points.

Jesse Hogan was billed as the key forward Fremantle have been crying out for since the halcyon days of Matthew Pavlich when he was lured to the club over the off-season.

He fired to boot three goals, as did Matt Taberner and Walters - but the day belonged to Brandon Matera with four majors.

"Every week is a different challenge, so we're still coming together, relatively new so it's a work in progress," Lyon said.

"It's always won and lost in the midfield, and in the end I think our midfield got on top - Walters, Mundy, Fyfe, Hill, [Ed] Langdon, [Andy] Brayshaw. Everyone has got to play their part at either end, so that's really what I thought happened."

Docker Taylin Duman could come under scrutiny for a shove to the face of Giant Lachie Whitfield in the third term.

Cameron knows finals hopes aren't determined in round five - but he will be desperate for a response in next week's derby.

AT A GLANCE

GWS GIANTS 3.6 7.9 10.13 11.16 (82)

FREMANTLE 4.4 8.7 10.9 16.10 (106)

Goals: GWS: J Cameron 4, J Finlayson 3, B Daniels, H Himmelberg, S Coniglio, M Buntine. Fremantle: B Matera 4, J Hogan 3, M Taberner 3, M Walters, 3 S Switkowski, T Colyer, R Lobb