1. Why did Casboult not handball and why did Taberner try to mark it?
In such a poor standard game, it might seem a little harsh to pick out just two incidents. But Levi Casboult’s decision not to handball to Dylan Buckley during the last quarter and Matt Taberner’s decision to fly for a mark 10 minutes later were symptomatic of a game that struggled to reach the heights of an under 16s game. Casboult marked inside the attacking 50m arc on a 45 degree angle. Buckley ran past for the handball and could have sauntered into an open goal. But Casboult decided not to give it to him. Even the home fans put their heads in their hands. It was a moment of sheer stupidity. Then, Casboult missed the set shot. At the other end, Jonathon Griffin looked to have finally kicked Fremantle’s first goal of the final quarter after 15 minutes. Out of nowhere, Taberner flew for the mark and managed to spill the ball over the goal line. All he had to do was let it go.  

Full match coverage and stats

2. Injury concerns rub salt into the wounds
Added to the increasing concerns of Fremantle fans would have been the injuries to star midfielder Nat Fyfe, who limped off the ground early in the second half, Michael Johnson (knee) and Hayden Ballantyne. It was 17th v 18th … and didn’t they play like it. In what was undoubtedly the worst game of the season to this point, the two teams fumbled and miskicked their way through a game that would have had many of those present wondering whether there was any chance of getting their money back. While the occasional moment of brilliance elicited a reaction from the 34,796-strong crowd, much of the match was simply punctuated by groans. Both of these teams have a long way to go and it’s amazing to think that Ross Lyon’s side was last year’s minor premiers. Carlton fans would have enjoyed the victory, but, the tight finish aside, there wasn’t much for the neutral fan in this one.

3. Where would Carlton be without Daisy?
He may not be the same player who once excited the Collingwood faithful, but Dale Thomas can still produce the goods when it counts. In a game in which goals were at a premium, Thomas bobbed up to kick three straight goals. In doing so, he bucked the trend in a game that saw far too many missed set shots. Mind you, his third goal summed up the game almost as well as the Casboult and Taberner gaffes had. Thomas received a free kick on the boundary line and ran around to open up the angle. Hooking the ball across his body, his kick actually landed on the goal line. And no Fremantle players were there to touch it. Still, at least Daisy hit the target.

4. Hayden Ballantyne is in trouble
Loved by Fremantle fans and loathed by the opposition, Ballantyne has been a mainstay of the Dockers line-up since the second half of 2009. But his trademark vim and vigour just isn’t there in 2016. After five games, he’s down on his career average for possessions, goals and tackles and, against Carlton, he was forced to play with pain. He noticeably limped through the game and had little impact. Then, there was the little whack in the ribs he gave to Marc Murphy when the ball was about to be bounced. Carlton took the ball almost the length of the ground to turn Ballantyne’s mistake into a goal. And, let’s not forget that he’s a serial offender on this front.

5. Brady Grey can play
Young Tasmanian Brady Grey started well in his second AFL match – or his first match if you discount the last round of 2015, when the Dockers rested half the team in a match Ross Lyon now describes as being “mickey mouse”. He’s been the most consistent Fremantle player in the WAFL for the better part of 18 months and prides himself on his heavy tackling and clearance work. If there’s any doubts about him, they revolve around the quality of his disposal. This was on display in the second quarter when he sprayed a set shot for goal from 50m. But his courage and attack on the ball has never been in question and he finished with 16 possessions and an equal game-high 10 tackles.