1. Clearance domination rides Saints home
After a disappointing first quarter, the Dockers turned the game around with their work around the stoppages. Leading the charge was a man after redemption, the recalled Michael Barlow, who had watched the first quarter without touching the ball. The Dockers dominated clearances 27 to 11 during the middle two quarters as they looked to take control of the game and Barlow had four clearances. However the Saints, led by David Armitage with four last-quarter clearances (and 17 tackles for the game), lifted in the centre square at the start of the last quarter. The Saints charged back into the game to overcome a 13-point deficit at the last change with eight last-quarter goals. They had 12 clearances to six in the final quarter and won by 34 points.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Dockers master the slow start
Fremantle has conceded the first four goals of the game within the first 11 minutes of the first quarter in each of the three games it has played at Etihad Stadium in 2016. The Saints kicked four goals from their first four inside 50 entries much to the disgust of Dockers coach Ross Lyon. The coach gave his team a bake at quarter-time as they went into the first break with just nine tackles to the Saints' 29, despite losing the disposal count by 39. In the end it was the difference between them having an unassailable lead at three-quarter time and the 13-point lead they did have which gave the Saints enough hope to storm home.

3. No relief for Ross
Just when the Dockers looked headed for their first win of the season, they fell in a hole in the final quarter. Fremantle has become the first team since Footscray managed the feat in 1938-39 to start a season with 10 consecutive losses after finishing in the top four the previous season. The Dockers' winless start to the season is now moving into rare territory, as a loss next week to Essendon would create a new record. The Dockers have become the 17th team since 1939 to lose their first 10 games and remain a chance to match their 17-loss start to the season in 2001.

4. Paddy McCartin has star quality
Paddy McCartin is showing signs as to why he was the No.1 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft. He kicked a much-needed goal for the Saints late in the third quarter when he made the most from a half-chance on the goal line and then took control inside 50 in the final quarter. He ended the game with two goals but it was his presence up forward that impressed most. He has sticky hands and does not mind flying for marks against more than one opponent. He only had nine disposals but took five marks, including three contested and two inside 50 when the Saints needed a spark.

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5. Where to for Matthew Pavlich?
The champion centre half-forward provides so much leadership that it's impossible to measure his output on statistics, but he had a down day against the Saints. In his 344th game, his touch appeared off and he was outmarked and outbodied for most of the game by St Kilda defender Sam Fisher. He took just one mark and had eight disposals. Although he laid eight tackles – a testament to his courage – he is struggling. He will keep going because he is a champion, a competitor and someone who never stops trying, but with the Dockers winless after 11 rounds, the value of his on-field contribution must be assessed.