Trailing by 23 points, the Dockers mounted a serious second-half challenge led by midfielder Gabby O'Sullivan to bring themselves level at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
A streaming Hayley Miller looked certain to slot the match-winner from point-blank range, before Demons defender Gabrielle Colvin shut her down with a classic high-pressure tackle.
But Melbourne skipper Kate Hore was caught holding the ball just in front of goal, gifting McCarthy the chance to secure the 7.5 (47) to 6.5 (41) win.
AISLING MCCARTHY WINS IT AFTER THE SIREN!!!— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWFreoDees pic.twitter.com/XtClSmjE9jSeptember 21, 2024
The Dockers' afternoon got off to a dreadful start when sharpshooter Tighe was taken out of the game with a knee complaint following an off-the-ball incident two minutes into the opening term.
Tighe did not appear to engage in any physical contact before she fell to ground, but was able to walk off the field without support.
The Irishwoman has a torrid history with knee injuries and was forced to overcome two consecutive anterior cruciate ligament tears in 2020 and 2021 to make her debut the following year.
Meanwhile, Melbourne could be in real danger of missing out on finals for the first since 2019 after falling to their third consecutive loss.
The Demons have their own injury concerns after fellow Irish player Blaithin Mackin was taken out of the game in the first quarter with a calf concern.
Fremantle star Áine Tighe left the field after this incident in the first quarter.— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWFreoDees pic.twitter.com/emHp897iDpSeptember 21, 2024
O'Sullivan stood up for Fremantle in Tighe's absence in attack, supported by Emma O'Driscoll (21 touches) and Hayley Miller (one goal, 17 touches).
Eliza McNamara was the standout for Melbourne and finished with 30 disposals, seven tackles, 15 contested possessions and 10 intercept possessions as club legend and now-West Coach coast Daisy Pearce watched from the crowd.
Hore opened the scoring after drawing a free kick just in front of goal from an Ash Brazill high tackle.
Miller replied for the Dockers before the visitors slammed through three goals for a 17-point lead at the first change.
The hosts were able to keep Melbourne from blowing out the margin in the second quarter, conceding only one goal before O'Sullivan caught Sinead Goldrick holding the ball and scored from point range after the siren.
O'Sullivan opened the third term to reduce the margin to 11 points, but Goldrick pulled one back for the Demons after being awarded a 50-metre penalty.
Goldrick was paid a free kick following a dangerous tackle, before Fremantle's Amy Mulholland gave away a 50-metre penalty for infringing the marking zone.
O'Sullivan went full-throttle in the fourth quarter, kicking her third of the match, before McCarthy scored the match-winner.
