Tackle happy
To lay a club record 118 tackles against the number one uncontested possession side in the AFL was a tremendous effort by the players in purple at the MCG on Saturday. Ross Lyon knew the best way to counter Richmond’s style was to unleash a barrage of pressure on them. His players executed the game plan brilliantly.
Click here to view the tackles on YouTube
What hoodoos?
Fremantle had lost its previous 10 matches at the MCG, with its most recent victory coming in round 4, 2007. And until round 12 last season, the club had failed to win a game without ruck star Aaron Sandilands for some time. On Saturday, Fremantle achieved a win at the MCG after Sandilands had been subbed out early with a toe injury, before he could make any impact.
Captain’s game
Coincidentally, Matthew Pavlich booted six goals the last time Freo tasted victory at the MCG in round 4, 2007. The skipper’s six majors in a low-scoring slog in the wet were the difference on Saturday.
Click here to watch Pav's half-dozen on YouTube
One of de best
Matt de Boer has been sensational since moving into the midfield a couple of weeks ago. His 29 possessions, 13 tackles and a goal on Saturday were vital to the end result.
Click here to watch Matt de Boer's third quarter goal on YouTube
The only negatives
The dampener on Saturday’s great result was the injury fallout, with Sandilands set to miss 10 weeks because of another “turf toe” injury. Zac Dawson and Stephen Hill were also casualties, but hopefully won’t miss too much footy with the bye week coming up.
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