There was a scramble for the record books when the Bulldogs had just 1.8 on the board at the 27-minute mark of the second term. Even a late goal to injury-cursed Tom Williams couldn't help the Dogs avoid their lowest-ever first half score against Fremantle, which was previously 22 points. Brendan McCartney's men opened up their play in the second half in a bid to kick a winning score, but were still strangled and held to their lowest-ever score against the Dockers of 6.15 (51). It eclipsed their previous low of 8.9 (57) in round 15, 2012 at Patersons Stadium.
Click here for full match coverage
2. Dogs fight, but lack polish
McCartney has repeatedly said his side's primary focus is to win contested ball and the Bulldogs coach would have snapped your hand off if you offered him a 152-140 count in that area before the game. Especially given the Bulldogs were ranked 16th in the League for contested ball compared to their opponents this season. But winning the contest isn't worth as much if you make bad decisions and butcher it on the outside. The Bulldogs' 6.15 final score tells part of the story. The Bulldogs should be filthy with themselves for a 67-41 inside-50 count and a missed opportunity to make a statement with an upset win.
3. Crowley does it again
Ryan Griffen must have breathed a sigh of relief when Fremantle's human clamp, Ryan Crowley, locked on to stoppage-king Tom Liberatore at the opening bounce. But his relief was short-lived. True to coach Ross Lyon's word pre-game, Crowley started on Liberatore in the middle but immediately had Griffen in his crosshairs thereafter. The master tagger backed up his shutdown role on Geelong star Steve Johnson with a near complete stopping job on the Bulldogs' skipper. Griffen had just two handballs to half-time and finished with only 10 disposals. Another scalp for the sweatband-wearing warrior, who also kicked a goal in the crucial third term and had 17 touches.
4. Ballantyne in the thick of it
Two of the game's best nigglers provided an entertaining sub-plot with Liam Picken targeting Dockers livewire Hayden Ballantyne. Gary Ablett was forced to wear Picken like a second skin last weekend, but the Dockers forward was a different proposition. In the first half, Picken was sometimes caught ball-watching – a criminal offence in the backline - and Ballantyne pounced, booting three first-half goals from just three kicks. The controversial small forward was held goal-less in the second-half but still took the honours. Ballantyne's day could be soured if he comes under scrutiny for a flailing trip on Shaun Higgins in the second quarter.
5. If Sandi doesn't get you, Clarke will
He's the Robin to Aaron Sandilands' Batman, but Zac Clarke's value to Fremantle shouldn't be underrated. More mobile and skilled than his higher-profile mentor, Clarke was pivotal as the Dockers established their early lead after a feisty start from the Bulldogs. The 203cm big man's long kick over the back broke Hayden Ballantyne off Liam Picken's leash for the game's first major. Clarke then gathered the ball on the wing and speared a long-range pass to Stephen Hill for Freo's third goal. Clarke's incisiveness swung the spotlight on exactly what the Bulldogs were lacking. He finished with 14 disposals, seven marks and 10 hit-outs. It was a tough-day at the office for All Australian ruckman Will Minson, who battled hard in a losing cause against arguably the League's best ruck combination. Minson had 19 disposals and 25 hit-outs, while Sandilands finished with 13 touches and 39 hit-outs.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
2. Dogs fight, but lack polish
McCartney has repeatedly said his side's primary focus is to win contested ball and the Bulldogs coach would have snapped your hand off if you offered him a 152-140 count in that area before the game. Especially given the Bulldogs were ranked 16th in the League for contested ball compared to their opponents this season. But winning the contest isn't worth as much if you make bad decisions and butcher it on the outside. The Bulldogs' 6.15 final score tells part of the story. The Bulldogs should be filthy with themselves for a 67-41 inside-50 count and a missed opportunity to make a statement with an upset win.
3. Crowley does it again
Ryan Griffen must have breathed a sigh of relief when Fremantle's human clamp, Ryan Crowley, locked on to stoppage-king Tom Liberatore at the opening bounce. But his relief was short-lived. True to coach Ross Lyon's word pre-game, Crowley started on Liberatore in the middle but immediately had Griffen in his crosshairs thereafter. The master tagger backed up his shutdown role on Geelong star Steve Johnson with a near complete stopping job on the Bulldogs' skipper. Griffen had just two handballs to half-time and finished with only 10 disposals. Another scalp for the sweatband-wearing warrior, who also kicked a goal in the crucial third term and had 17 touches.
4. Ballantyne in the thick of it
Two of the game's best nigglers provided an entertaining sub-plot with Liam Picken targeting Dockers livewire Hayden Ballantyne. Gary Ablett was forced to wear Picken like a second skin last weekend, but the Dockers forward was a different proposition. In the first half, Picken was sometimes caught ball-watching – a criminal offence in the backline - and Ballantyne pounced, booting three first-half goals from just three kicks. The controversial small forward was held goal-less in the second-half but still took the honours. Ballantyne's day could be soured if he comes under scrutiny for a flailing trip on Shaun Higgins in the second quarter.
5. If Sandi doesn't get you, Clarke will
He's the Robin to Aaron Sandilands' Batman, but Zac Clarke's value to Fremantle shouldn't be underrated. More mobile and skilled than his higher-profile mentor, Clarke was pivotal as the Dockers established their early lead after a feisty start from the Bulldogs. The 203cm big man's long kick over the back broke Hayden Ballantyne off Liam Picken's leash for the game's first major. Clarke then gathered the ball on the wing and speared a long-range pass to Stephen Hill for Freo's third goal. Clarke's incisiveness swung the spotlight on exactly what the Bulldogs were lacking. He finished with 14 disposals, seven marks and 10 hit-outs. It was a tough-day at the office for All Australian ruckman Will Minson, who battled hard in a losing cause against arguably the League's best ruck combination. Minson had 19 disposals and 25 hit-outs, while Sandilands finished with 13 touches and 39 hit-outs.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
Ryan Crowley was at his best, keeping Ryan Griffen to just 10 disposals. Picture: AFL Media
