1. Son Son v Cyril
If I had to choose between Michael Walters and Cyril Rioli … well I’d toss a coin. Walters is definitely in that conversation as he showed again with a dynamic display against the Bulldogs. In the first term, while the Dogs burnt it at one end, Walters iced a couple of goals at the other. Then in the second quarter as the Dogs barked back, he was there in defence laying the big, critical tackles. He’s got the chase down, the zip to go, can take a hanger and is deadly with his left foot. And footy smarts; check out Walters’ tap-on seven minutes into the third term to set up Cam McCarthy’s shot at goal, which he missed. Or his snap over the shoulder soon after. One good way to judge the value a gun player is: ‘Would I love him in my team?’ It’s an easy answer with Walters, who played an absolute blinder as a tribute to former teammate Shane Yarran, who died suddenly on Friday, aged just 28.
WATCH: Michael Walters dedicates this one to a mate
DOCKERS V BULLDOGS: All the stats and stories
2. Scratching the surface
Four days after West Coast coach Adam Simpson raised concerns over the hardness of Optus Stadium’s surface, both Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs lost players to leg injuries within half an hour on Saturday night. Fremantle full-forward Matt Taberner, who started the match on fire with five marks (three contested) and a goal in the first 20 minutes copped a foot injury and didn’t reappear after quarter-time, Ross Lyon later saying the forward had a fractured metatarsal. Western Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson only made it a couple of minutes into the second term before heading to the bench to ice a torn hamstring. Both players look headed for lengthy stints on the sidelines. Simpson queried the ground’s hardness on Tuesday after a string of injuries, while Geelong lost three players in their clash with West Coast in round three.
Saturday night wasn't the homecoming West Australian Bulldog Aaron Naughton wanted. Picture: AFL Photos
3. Boyd back with bang
He had to wait 307 days between games, but Tom Boyd kicked off his 50th match with a bang, booting the Dogs’ opening goal with a booming set shot from 50m. He was mobbed by teammates, but it proved to be the only Bulldogs goal of the opening term as they wasted their chances and went to the first break 16 points down. He spent a bit of time in the ruck as well, ending the match with four marks and two goals, but gave them a contest close to goal. Boyd’s 49th game was against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on June 18 last year.
WATCH: Big Boyd is back and barking for the bulldogs
4. Fyfe v The Bont
It was far from a head-to-head battle but in the clash of the superstars Nat Fyfe’s numbers gave him the honours. Fyfe was best afield in the first two games Fremantle played at Optus Stadium and only had Michael Walters to fight for the hat-trick. Fyfe’s impact on the game was crazy again – 43 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal. The Bont is a beautiful user of the ball and had a fair hand in a number of the Bulldogs’ attacking moves. He was probably their best because of the value of his possessions, but was unable to win as much of the ball as the Fremantle skipper.
Nat Fyfe has been in scorching form this year. Picture: AFL Photos
5. English lesson
Tim English might be tall but he’s not big, as in Aaron Sandilands big. While English had a red-hot crack and some telling possessions, he was no match for the ruck goliath at the bounce downs, throw-ups and throw-ins. The highlight of Sandi’s 53-hit-out ruck masterclass came 10 minutes into the second term at a stoppage at half-back, his sublime tap releasing Nat Fyfe to launch a counter-attack through the middle. Talk about silver service.
