It has been an unhappy time of late for Sydney forward Sam Reid, and a quick glance at the stats sheet shows the 21-year-old failed to trouble the scorers on Saturday night. However, Reid made the most telling contribution of the evening with a mark inside the defensive goal square with about 30 seconds left in the game. With scores level, Michael Johnson's set shot from just beyond the 50m arc could have won it for the visitors, who came from 27 points down to draw level with two minutes remaining. Johnson's shot came up just short and Reid pulled down a game-saving mark.
2. Mumford takes his place
Sydney Swans ruckman Shane Mumford looks to have fully recovered from any groin niggles as he took his place in the selected side. Mumford, who was a late withdrawal in Sydney's loss to Hawthorn last week, shared ruck duties with Mike Pyke and looked good against Fremantle's stand-in ruckman Zac Clarke.
3. Clarke delivers in Freo's hour of need
Even though Sydney ended up winning the hitouts 51-39 at the finish, the performance of Zac Clarke would have encouraged the Fremantle brains trust. The 23-year-old, 203cm, beanpole was playing his first AFL game of 2013, having missed the first seven rounds due to a troublesome calf injury. And despite no lead up game in the local WAFL competition prior to Saturday night's clash, Clarke looked strong throughout, rucking most of the game.
4. Career best for Hannebery
Daniel Hannebery broke the game open in the second term with three goals, helping the home side turn around a six-point quarter-time deficit into an 18-point advantage. He finished the night with four goals, the best single-game return in his career. The highlight of the hard-working Swan's night came just before half time, when Sydney broke with devastating speed from half back, leaving Hannebery all on his own with the footy about 80 metres from goal. The 22-year-old sprinted inside 50 and made no mistake to chalk up a super team goal.
5. Wasteful Dockers could have won it earlier
Despite coming away with two premiership points after trailing by more than four goals midway through the final term, Fremantle would be left to rue a wasteful opening quarter where it managed just 3.6 compared with Sydney's 3.0 and failed to make the most of their opportunities. Their dominance was reflected in clearances (12-6), inside 50s (15-9) and contested possessions (41-27).
