1. Both preliminary finals will be played in Perth
There must be something in the water in Western Australia. The state will be absolutely buzzing over the next fortnight with both West Coast and Fremantle to host preliminary finals. Add to that the Coleman medalist resides in Perth (Josh Kennedy), the Rising Star Jesse Hogan is a West Australian native, and the Brownlow winner could well be another WA boy in Nat Fyfe. The rest of the nation must be thinking there is some kind of conspiracy, especially as the premiership cup could be heading west for the first time since 2006.

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2. Fyfe hasn't lost his touch
After missing the final two games of the home and away season with a shin injury, Fyfe returned with a vengeance. The Fremantle star jumped out of the blocks, gathering 12 disposals in the opening term. The Brownlow favourite was back to his damaging best, combining with Aaron Sandilands at the stoppages to give Fremantle the advantage in the clearances. He showed no signs of discomfort, despite spending the half-time break with ice strapped around his lower left leg, and finished the game with 32 disposals (16 contested), and eight clearances in a best on ground performance for the Dockers.

3. The Swans can always rely on Josh Kennedy
Fremantle sorely missed tagger Ryan Crowley on Saturday with Josh Kennedy running amok in the midfield. After a slow start to the opening term, the Swans midfielder fired up, finishing the first half with 16 disposals, three clearances and seven tackles. But it was in the third term that Kennedy took ownership, and single-handedly dragged the Swans back into the match. Kennedy was everywhere in the third quarter, doubling his output with 16 possessions (seven contested). He was strong overhead, taking marks sandwiched between Fremantle players and used his elite kicking skills to find several players inside 50. He was unstoppable and finished as the leading disposal-winner on the ground with 39 touches and eight tackles.

WATCH: Top five plays, Fremantle v Sydney Swans

4. Walters and Ballantyne are crucial to Freo's flag hopes
The question mark over Fremantle clinching the flag has always been around their ability to kick enough of a winning score. On Saturday the Dockers showed they do have the fire power in attack with Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne stepping up to the plate. Livewire Walters hasn't played since round 21, while goal sneak Ballantyne has missed seven weeks with a torn pectoral. But the duo was on-song in their return games on Saturday, kicking six goals between them. Love him or hate him, Ballantyne was at his pesky best and nearly had four goals to his name after his freakish snap at goal from the boundary line was marked on the goalline by teammate Zac Clarke. The pair has been sorely missed and the Dockers’ forward line functions much better with them fit and firing.


5. Sandilands sets new record
The Fremantle giant had 43 hit-outs against the Swans, taking his total for 2015 to 958, and breaking former Kangaroo Gary Dempsey's record for most hit-outs in a season. In 1982 Dempsey registered 952 hit-outs but that record was always under threat this season with Sandilands and North Melbourne's Todd Goldstein in scintillating form. Sandilands' new record could be broken on Sunday with Goldstein on 937 hit-outs heading into the Roos' elimination final against Richmond.

6. The Swans just can't catch a break
Injury has plagued the Swans over the past month with midfielders Kieren Jack and Luke Parker, and defender Nick Smith on the sidelines. The absence of star forward Lance Franklin already leaves a huge void in the Swans' attack so the last player they could ill afford to lose was Sam Reid. The 23-year-old was the Swans’ key focal point up forward in the opening term of the qualifying final clash against Fremantle, with Kurt Tippett pinch-hitting in the ruck. But it all came unstuck in the second term when Reid injured his hamstring chasing a loose ball. The forward pulled up abruptly and clutched at his right hamstring before hobbling off the ground. He was immediately handed the red vest, and looks set to miss the remainder of the finals.