1. Mundy banishes memories of Geelong
With 31 seconds remaining in a pulsating MCG epic, David Mundy had a set shot to win the game for the Dockers. Fremantle had lost by two points against Geelong in round 20, 2014 when Mundy narrowly missed a set shot after the siren. Rarely does a player get a second chance to have such an important kick, but Mundy did. This time he went back to his trusted routine and kicked truly from 50 metres. He was lucky to get the chance, as Richmond's Bachar Houli had given up the ball with a poorly-judged kick-out that Garrick Ibbotson marked and then passed to Mundy. The Dockers had led the game for only nine minutes in total, but they were in front when heads bobbed at the finish.

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2. Midfield royalty delivers a majestic battle
The battle between Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin and the game's best midfielder, Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, was a microcosm of what became an epic game. There was never much to separate the two stars, but their collective influence was significant. At half-time, both had the same number of disposals (14) and contested possessions (eight). Both tried to lift their team in the third quarter with Cotchin winning eight disposals and Fyfe having five touches and kicking a goal. Fyfe's corked thigh looked to be hampering him but he battled as hard as ever and, along with Michael Barlow (who was the Dockers' best player), helped his side score crucial goals from stoppages. Fyfe started the last quarter deep forward but pushed into the midfield as soon as the game had to be won.

3. Tigers make every post a behind
Dustin Martin hit the post three times in the second half. Trent Cotchin kicked it out on the full in the last quarter and Jack Riewoldt missed a tough shot from the angle. The misses proved costly in a low-scoring opening, as Richmond and Fremantle recorded their lowest combined single-quarter score in the first term with 20 points. The final three quarters were thankfully far more open with 20 goals scored and tough, exciting football played. Both teams remain genuine contenders and the Dockers stay top of the pile for another week.

4. Big game, big moments
With less than two minutes remaining before half-time, Richmond forward Ben Griffiths had a set shot for goal from 30 metres out. If he'd kicked straight, the Tigers would have had a 13-point lead at the long break, but he hit the post. The Dockers managed to get the ball forward and young forward Matt Taberner marked. As the siren sounded, the 20-year-old kicked straight and all of a sudden the margin was just two points. A dubious free kick paid against Alex Rance in a marking contest against Matthew Pavlich in the final quarter kept the Dockers in the contest as the champion skipper went back and goaled. The Dockers were also unlucky in substituting Matt Taberner just a minute before Clancee Pearce popped his shoulder and was rendered ineffective for the remainder of the game.

5. Tiger fans roar, with Hawks on the horizon
Richmond heads into Friday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn on track to notch over one million fans in attendance on aggregate, for the third time in its history. The Tigers went into the game against Fremantle needing 321,145 spectators in the final seven games to match their record home and away attendance of 1,040,290 set in 2013. Tiger crowds are up 25 per cent on last season, a glowing endorsement for the rebuilding of the club under CEO Brendon Gale and coach Damien Hardwick.