The Bombers lost three of their first eight games this season by margins of less than a goal, but stood up when it counted at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Brayden Ham was the unlikely hero as his hurried snapshot from 45 metres floated through with six minutes left on the clock for what proved to be the final goal.

The scrappy contest went right down to the wire, with both sides squandering further chances to edge clear.

But Essendon (3-6) hung on in a frantic finish to win - 10.8 (68) to 8.13 (61) - against a Dockers outfit that wasted their dominance in general play through the middle period of the match.

"It probably wasn't our greatest display," Rutten said.

"Freo had more control of the game than what we did, so that was pleasing that we were able to find a way and hang in there.

"We spoke to the boys about getting back to our brand of footy and building it on our contest work and pressure, and I think we did that in that last quarter.

"Our maturity to be able to do what we needed to do to win the game was good."

The contest got spiteful at times and Dockers tyro Caleb Serong was the chief agitator as he shadowed Zach Merrett, with the pair tangling several times off the ball.

Darcy Parish continued his stellar form with 39 disposals and 10 clearances for Essendon, with Andrew McGrath also busy in the midfield and Nick Hind and Mason Redman strong in defence.

The Bombers burst out of the blocks with three goals in the first eight minutes before Andrew Brayshaw, Nat Fyfe and Matt Taberner helped Fremantle get on top for a period.

Taberner kicked 4.3 as the most dangerous key forward on the ground and could have helped put the Dockers firmly in control at stages.

But Fremantle (4-5) only had themselves to blame for poor decision-making and inaccuracy in front of goal in a loss that left them a win and percentage outside the top eight.

"It's devastating," coach Justin Longmuir said.

"I thought we were the better team for a long period of time but when it counted at the start and the end they went to another level ... and we couldn't deal with that.

"That's been a bit of a trend when a team brings their best in terms of intensity around the ball, crowd on their side, we just haven't been able to play our way through that.

"We need to learn to be better in those moments."

Australian Associated Press