Hayden Ballantyne is having arguably his best-ever season and is in All Australian contention. His bag of five goals against the Giants was the fifth time he's kicked five or more in his career and it took his year's tally to 38 goals, the most he's ever kicked in a single season. But he has put himself in danger of missing another game through suspension after being reported for striking young Giant Tomas Bugg in the third term. He was suspended for one week following two separated incidents against the Sydney Swans earlier this year and as a result earned the wrath of his coach Ross Lyon. Ballantyne may want to avoid Lyon this week if he is suspended again for another unnecessary act.  

Chris Mayne was the Dockers' equal leading goalkicker in 2011. He bagged 39 goals in 2012, and 37 in 2013 when he was selected in the All Australian 40-man squad. But against the Giants, Mayne was sent to defence in the absence of Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson, and Alex Silvagni, and showed he is more than capable of holding a defensive post for his coach. Mayne has had a quiet year up forward kicking just nine goals in 15 games after a limited pre-season due to a significant back issue. But his ability to swing into defence will ensure he remains an important cog in the Fremantle side as finals spots are up for grabs.

 

Lachie Whitfield has not been a noted goalkicker in his short 30-game career. The 2012 No. 1 draft pick had kicked just 13 goals in two seasons at AFL level. Only once had Whitfield kicked more than one goal in a match prior to Sunday's clash with the Dockers. But the youngster kicked three goals in the second term against Fremantle. Two of them were rather fortuitous. His first came when he streamed inside 50 and missed his intended target of a teammate only to watch as the ball rolled through for a goal. His second was a calm finish from a set-shot. His third was the result of a flukey bounce and some clever positioning. Jeremy Cameron bounced a ball towards goal from the pocket, Tendai Mzungu appeared to have it covered but the bounce ballooned high above his head and he couldn't punch it through for a rushed behind with Whitfield waiting behind to skillfully volley home his third goal for the term. 

Anthony Morabito's return to AFL football in Darwin was the feel good story of the year but the Dockers fans made his return to Patersons Stadium a moment to remember. Morabito was named sub for the second week in a row and had to wait until the third term to get his chance. The crowd saw Morabito take off the green vest but he had to wait for what seemed an eternity before the Dockers could make an interchange. The chants of "MORA, MORA!" rang around Patersons Stadium and when Morabito finally came on, the game almost came to a stand still as the crowd gave the 22-year-old a standing ovation. He had a strong impact with 15 touches and a couple of score involvements.

 

The Dockers wore a specially designed jumper for Sunday's clash with the Giants. The jumper featured the names of every player to represent the club in its 20-year history. Alongside the 10 players who have played more than 200 games for the club, there are 13 who had played just one before Sunday's match, including 19-year-old Michael Apeness who made his AFL debut last week in Darwin. The only disappointment for Fremantle fans was that the famous Dockers anchor wasn't reprised for the 20-year jumper.