JUST IN: Fremantle Dockers head coach Justin Longmuir praises selfless efforts and teases Alex Pearce’s impending return.

Coach Justin Longmuir of Fremantle has lavished praise on his team for their dramatic surprise win in Sydney against the league-leading Swans, citing their willingness to embrace sacrifice.

This is in response to the Dockers coach’s suggestion that captain and standout defender Alex Pearce may make an unexpected early comeback from a fractured forearm.

During the win on Saturday, Fremantle introduced a fresh look for their midfield, asking winger Jeremy Sharp to go toe-to-toe with Errol Gulden while dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe covered Swans fire Isaac Heeney.

The Dockers used their run-with roles brilliantly, taking the lead with fast second and third quarters and holding on for a one-point victory.

Longmuir told 7NEWS, “I thought it was a really selfless role-driven game from all our players.”

“The outcome was influenced by everyone.

“I thought Johnno really equipped himself well in that role and was really diligent; Fyfey did a great job on Heeney when he was off.”

“Sharpy performed admirably as Gulden’s wingman. Sharpy was the match-up on that wing because Gulden plays a lot of games and has an exceptional sprinting capacity.