The Fremantle Dockers have maintained their two-game buffer at the top of the AFL ladder, defeating Brisbane by 36 points at a sodden Subiaco Oval.

In a low-scoring and heavily contested encounter, the last-placed Lions stuck it out with the Dockers all the way until three-quarter time, from which point the class of the premiership favourites told.

The big guns in the Dockers’ forward line proved the difference with goals from Michael Walters, Pavlich and Danyle Pearce coming early in the last quarter to sink Brisbane.

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From there the Dockers kicked on to push out the margin, with Walters finishing with four goals and Pavlich three as the Dockers won 13.6 (84) to 7.6 (48).

Brisbane tagger Mitch Robinson and star Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe were involved in an intriguing battle.

Fyfe was restricted to just four possessions in the first quarter, but the Brownlow medal favourite rebounded to finish with 27 disposals and nine clearances.

It was tough work throughout the afternoon for Fyfe, who had his shorts pulled down in a third-quarter tackle.

The match pitted first against last, but the scoreboard didn’t reflect that disparity for the majority of the contest.

Fremantle threatened to blow the game wide open in the second term when they dominated the inside-50m count 17-4 as driving rain lashed the ground.

But the Dockers were left to rue a series of missed chances in front of goal, with Hayden Ballantyne missing an easy set shot, before Fyfe and Zac Clarke sprayed their kicks out on the full.

Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger competed strongly against Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands in the first half.

And his two long-range goals proved crucial in keeping the Lions in the contest.

Sunshine replaced the rain for the start of the second half, but again the Dockers failed to convert their inside-50m ascendancy.

Sandilands missed a sitter from 20m in front as the Lions’ defence repelled countless other attacks.

But the floodgates finally opened in the last quarter, with some smart snaps from Pavlich and goals to Pearce and Walters getting the ball rolling.

After the match, Fremantle and Brisbane players stood arm-in-arm in a circle to honour Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, who was found dead on Friday.

 – with ABC, AAP