Zac gets the ton

Much like Michael Barlow reaching the 50 games last week, Zac Dawson’s milestone on Friday night is testament to the perseverance he has displayed throughout his career. Occasionally, and unfairly maligned by fans, Dawson’s career began at Hawthorn via the 2003 National Draft. He could only manage 14 games there, none coming in 2007 or 2008. Ross Lyon gave him a lifeline on St Kilda’s rookie list in 2009 and the rest is history. Dawson played in three grand finals with the Saints before heading west to join Lyon at Freo, where he has been part of one the toughest defences to score against in the AFL. Well done, Zac.

Not tackle-happy Tigers

There’s a big discrepancy in the way Freo and Richmond go about their business on the field pertaining to tackling. Fremantle ranks second in the AFL for total tackles, with 277. Richmond, on the other hand, are dead last, laying just 154 for the season to-date.

Lyon beats Tigers

Here’s a stat Ross Lyon couldn’t care less about. He has never lost to Richmond as an AFL senior coach. That’s eight wins and one draw from nine matches dating back to 2007, and including two victories over theTigers with Freo in 2012. Lyon does not place great importance on past victories, however, so this stat won’t interest him too much.

Luke Mac in attack?

With champion defender Luke McPharlin likely to resume this week, round 4 debutant Tanner Smith will be dropped to make way, right? Not so fast. Lyon has indicated that Smith may stay in defence, with McPharlin swinging up forward to fill the hole left by Matthew Pavlich’s absence.

Does Crowley get Deledio again?

Ross Lyon sent Crowley to Brett Deledio twice last season, and Freo’s brilliant tagger did the job on both occasions. Will Freo stick with what has worked, or does the growing reputation of Tiger captain Trent Cotchin demand the Crowley tag?