?1. Injuries, illness, and no-shows

?When the team sheets were submitted on Friday night, Essendon was unchanged from the side that beat Carlton by 81 points. The Dockers made five changes following last week's loss to Hawthorn, three of them due to significant injuries. Five minutes into the second quarter all three of Essendon's emergencies were in the game. Dustin Fletcher and Paul Chapman were both named yet neither man boarded a plane to Perth, David Myers fell ill on the morning of the match and remained at the hotel. Brendon Goddard hurt his groin in the warm-up and tried to play but was subbed off early in the second term.  ??

?The temperatures have soared in Perth this week culminating in a blistering 33-degree day on Sunday. The conditions clearly favoured the home side although both teams employed unique tactics to keep the players cool. Essendon went with the tried and trusted ice vests, wet towels, and industrial fans but Fremantle took it to another level. At one stage during the second term Lachie Neale was on all fours on the interchange with his head, arms and shoulders folded into a drinks esky full of ice to try and lower his body temperature. 

 

?Luke McPharlin had kicked 114 goals in 228 matches before Sunday. However, he has not kicked a goal in his past 35 matches and has managed just two since 2009 due to his role as the No.1 key defender. His last goal was round five, 2012 against Carlton. However, an opportunity presented itself in the third term when he pressed inside 50 to try and lock the ball in. He outpointed Dyson Heppell in a one-on-one contest and wheeled to his right from 40m out and curled it straight through middle with all the confidence and ease of a regular sharp shooter.  

David Mundy copped a heavy head knock in the second term that was rewarded with a free kick. However, the cause was not a reckless opponent but rather his teammate, Luke McPharlin. Mundy's head hit McPharlin's hip head-on and he was badly shaken, leading to Mundy being subbed off in the third term with concussion. Yet somehow the umpire was confused by who the culprit was and awarded Mundy the free kick.

 

Leigh Matthews created headlines last week by suggesting Aaron Sandilands was one of the most over-rated players in the competition because of the over-emphasis placed on hit-out statistics. Matthews' comments may have been overblown and taken out of context but the article was flashed on the big screen during the last quarter and it incensed the Fremantle crowd. Sandilands responded immediately with two perfect hits-to-advantage that led to goals to Stephen Hill and Neale. The boos of the Freo fans at the article being shown on the big screen were replaced by loud cheers as the three-time All Australian ruckman came to the bench.