Coming into the match the Dockers were the second-best tackling team in the AFL, averaging 70 a match, and the Saints were 15th averaging just 59. St Kilda came with a clear plan to out-tackle Fremantle and did so with a ferocious attack on the Dockers ball-carriers. They finished with 77 tackles to 45 across the four quarters.  

Hayden Ballantyne had gone goalless in his past three matches, the first time he's recorded the unwanted stat in his 77-game career. However Ballantyne broke that drought with a spectacular opening half to keep the Dockers in touch. He kicked four goals out of seven and was back to his nippy, skilful, feisty best. He finished with five goals, the second best haul of his career.

 

In a Fremantle intraclub match during the 2012 pre-season, Tom Lee, who was unlisted at the time and preparing for another season in the WAFL with Claremont, played for a composite team against the Dockers. He kicked four goals in an outstanding display to show up the full-timers. Lee went on to kick 70 goals for Claremont in a season where the Tigers won the Foxtel Cup and the WAFL premiership. Sunday was just his third AFL game after being nabbed as a GWS pre-selection and then traded to the Saints for pick No.13. Lee kicked three goals in an impressive display given the absence of Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.  

Three of the modern greats returned after extended periods out and each had mixed days. Lenny Hayes was playing his first match since round nine, and just his second since round five. He looked like he had not missed a beat working tirelessly for 25 possessions. Matthew Pavlich had missed the past 10 matches following foot surgery. His rehab had not been as smooth as was hoped and he took a while to work his way into the game. But he delivered with two crucial goals during the third term to grab the ascendency for the Dockers. Aaron Sandilands was playing his first game in 2013 and looked like it. He dropped a couple of easy marks early and laboured until being subbed in the third term. He will be better for the run.

 

Fremantle has managed to keep its opposition to an average of just 60 points at Patersons Stadium this season and the Dockers had only trailed at half-time once at home. But the Saints, missing two of the club's finest goalkickers in Riewoldt and Stephen Milne, kicked seven goals in the opening half to lead by seven points at half-time. The Saints managed 11.4 (70) in the end which equalled what the Sydney Swans kicked against the Dockers in the round eight draw at the SCG.