1. No déjà vu for Dockers
About this time last year the Dockers were on the end of a disastrous 58-point thrashing at the hands of the last-placed Saints, which was their eighth loss in nine attempts against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. It was clear, however, there would be no repeat of last year early on Sunday, as the Dockers kicked away in the opening term. After small Saints forward Jack Lonie kicked a goal in the opening minute, the Dockers were clinical in booting the next seven to open a 35-point gap at the 22-minute mark of the first quarter. Although the Saints managed some better periods of play, Fremantle was in control thereafter as it cruised to a 37-point win.  

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2. Weller brothers face off
A week after making his debut for Fremantle, young midfielder Lachie Weller faced an interesting challenge in his second game as he came up against his older brother for the first time on an AFL field. The Dockers' first-round pick again started as the substitute against the Saints, and had to wait until the third term before entering the game against senior sibling Maverick. Four years separate the pair, but Lachie spent the last few years on the Gold Coast, where he watched Mav join the Suns' start-up AFL team before joining the Saints. The first-year Docker immediately got involved when he entered the game, winning a free kick. His second kick came minutes later and he chipped it in the direction of a leading teammate. However, Mav cut off the kick and started an attacking foray for the Saints. The pair shared a hug after the final siren.

3. Interchange shortage for Saints
St Kilda's task against the ladder-leaders was made harder with injury concerns leaving them just one man on the bench for a chunk of the second term. Daniel McKenzie was first to leave the field with a concussion concern, which activated substitute Nathan Wright. Jack Sinclair then came off after getting a head knock and needed to go into the changerooms for further assessment, while forward Jack Lonie was nursing a sore left knee. Although Lonie returned to the field later in the term, he and teammate Shane Savage (hip) were clearly affected by their ailments. Sinclair also came back on the ground in the third quarter to kick a clever goal, shaking off the concerns of a sore head. St Kilda ignored the fitness problems to kick five goals to one in the final term and claw back some respect for the day.   

4. Freo's home final all but sealed
The win goes a long way to confirming a top-two finish for the Dockers, who went 10 points clear of second-placed West Coast with the victory. The West Australian rivals face-off next week, and even if the Dockers lose, they should still be able to hold on to a top-two position given the healthy buffer with four rounds to play. But they do face a couple of challenges in the run to the finals after the Eagles, including away contests against North Melbourne and Port Adelaide. One concern to come out of the win over the Saints was the possible calf injury to key defender Luke McPharlin, who was substituted out of the game in the third term. Although perhaps just a precaution given the Dockers' comfortable position, he is one player the club cannot afford to lose ahead of its September campaign. 

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5. Dempster's understated milestone
For a premiership player who does his job every week, St Kilda defender Sean Dempster doesn't receive a lot of praise. Part of that comes with being an under-the-radar type of player who keeps away from the spotlight. But he also completes his role so seamlessly that we don't expect much else. A little more attention came his way on Sunday, though, in his 200th AFL game. The 31-year-old, who played in the Sydney Swans' 2005 flag before being traded to the Saints, once again held an important job against the Dockers. As well as lining up against direct opponent Alex Pearce, Dempster patrolled the back half and at times faced the mountainous task of stopping Freo giant Aaron Sandilands.