IF YOU bought a ticket to Carlton and Fremantle's clash on Saturday hoping the main act would be witnessing the battle between midfield giants Nat Fyfe and Patrick Cripps you might have felt a little let down.

Not by the pair themselves – they both did their bit and more – but disappointed by the lack of fight from the Blues.

By quarter time Carlton was goalless, 35 points down and out of the game, making the contest between Fremantle's Fyfe and Blues gun Cripps largely inconsequential thereafter.

DOCKERS CRUSH BLUES Full match coverage and stats

Carlton's lack of resistance to the travelling Dockers (not football's toughest assignment this season) only amplified the reliance they place on Cripps, their best player, stand-in captain and a likely All Australian this season.

He started the game lined up against Fyfe at the opening bounce, and after a wrestle for best position, they both went their own ways hunting the ball. Fyfe had the early influence, winning a contest that helped set up David Mundy's opening goal.

Cripps was trying. His first three disposals were all clearances, but he had little help, with few others around the ball to feed it out to. He had to keep an eye on Fyfe, who slotted a first-term goal in his 150th game, and was also asked to be a kick-in marking target.

Game comparison

Fyfe's afternoon under the Etihad Stadium roof unfolded with far more ease. Such was Freo's dominance, Fyfe roamed free, racking up 19 disposals and two goals to half-time and showing few cares as he did it.

There are similarities between Fyfe and Cripps. The West Australians were spared of the draft hype in their respective under-18 seasons, both catapulting up the draft board late in the season once their potential became obvious.

They play in the combative style required by the modern ball-winner: both prepared to dig in and get their hands dirty for the sake of their team.

Fyfe's brilliance is more obvious – he jumps, flies and has more eye-catching moments – but Cripps' courage and outstanding vision helps him set up the play when others wouldn't see the option.

Unfortunately for Cripps, he is often a lone hand. Some experienced teammates, including Kade Simpson and Matthew Kreuzer, helped out after half-time as Carlton restored a little pride.

But still things came back to Cripps, who finished with a career-best 38 disposals (16 contested) and six clearances in a typically hard-working, consistent and steady performance around the ground.

Carlton's long-term plan for success still looks light years from coming to fruition, but at least they have Cripps to build around, and reports this week indicated he was set to extend his stay at the club until at least the end of 2021.

Freo is further down the line with its own rebuild, evidenced by the emergence and contribution of youngsters Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra on Saturday, Ed Langdon's improvement, Connor Blakely's consistency and the likes of Michael Apeness, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan showing good signs.

So much so, Fyfe started the last term on the interchange bench, knowing his side's win was already secured. He spent a lot of the final quarter there, finishing with 30 touches, seven inside-50s and two majors in his milestone game.