1. Winless run over, but Giant slump continues
There's something wrong in Sydney's west, and if it's not fixed soon the consequences could be dire. Sure, the Giants beat Fremantle. But that's not a huge claim. GWS was the early premiership favourite in 2017, but it needed to produce something special in the final term to overcome the Dockers and avoid extending its winless run to five. The Giants play a Melbourne outfit on the bounce next week in Canberra and another defeat would put their top-four spot up for grabs. 

2. King Coniglio returns
Ankle injury? What ankle injury? Greater Western Sydney vice-captain Stephen Coniglio underlined just how important he is for the men in orange, with a blistering return at the top level. The onballer, who was playing just his third game this season and first since round eight after battling ankle injuries, finished with 27 touches against the Dockers, including 12 in contests. He has three games to build on that best-on-ground performance and looks set to be a huge weapon in September.

Full match coverage and stats 

3. Blakely's shoulder shocker
A decision to allow rising Freo star Connor Blakely back on to the field after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder in the opening term could come under the microscope, after he popped the joint out a second time. Blakely hit the ground hard in a marking contest midway through the first quarter and headed straight to the bench, then the rooms. He came back on the field with his left shoulder strapped just before the first change, but it came out again under similar circumstances in the second stanza. This time, he put the tracksuit on.

4. Back with a bang
Fremantle young gun Luke Ryan looked like a man with a point to prove at Spotless Stadium. The 21-year-old and teammate Brennan Cox were back in the side after serving one-match club-imposed suspensions for flouting the Dockers' alcohol policy after the round 17 Western Derby defeat. Ryan, who was drafted with pick 66 last year and made his debut in round 11, had 25 disposals and 14 marks. Message received. 

5. Simpson takes his chance
Back-up big man Dawson Simpson has had to wait for his opportunity at GWS, and when it finally came this week, he took it. Simpson, 27, spent eight years on Geelong's list before being traded to the Giants at the end of 2015. Up against Dockers second-stringer Sean Darcy, Simpson toiled manfully and got on top in the last quarter to finish with 44 hit-outs and help mitigate the absence of first-choice Giants ruckman Shane Mumford.