Losing key defender Michael Johnson in the first quarter affected Fremantle’s structures at both ends of the ground, according to Garrick Ibbotson.
 
Johnson was subbed out just a few minutes into the first quarter of his 200th game due a hamstring injury, leaving veteran Luke McPharlin as the last genuine tall in defence.

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Richmond booted eight first-quarter goals to set up a 27-point win at Domain Stadium on Friday night.
 
Ibbotson said Chris Mayne and Matt Taberner were forced to rotate through the back-six, affecting the back and forward lines.
 
“It’s always hard when you lose someone of Johnno’s quality,” Ibbotson said.
 
“Especially so early and unfortunately for him in his 200th game.”
 
Ibbotson said it was a challenge to regroup without Johnson but during the second half the defence gelled better.

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“It shifts our structure a little bit, we’re missing a tall back and have to bring Tabs or Mayne back to help us out,” he said.
 
“Then we lost a bit of forward structure…but I thought in the second half we were better.”