It just goes on and on and on

If a 20-second passage of play could encapsulate everything Ross Lyon’s game plan stands for, it’s this incredible piece of vision from the opening exchanges of the second quarter. Like an invading army of soldiers in fast forward, Fremantle just kept coming at Carlton. The Blues took possession of the ball on the centre wing, and 15 possessions later, found themselves in the back pocket. Perhaps the only person at Etihad more impressed with Freo’s blitzkrieg than Ross Lyon was commentator Brian Taylor.

Ballaz rips them to shreds

He ended up looking like Hulk Hogan, shirt torn to shreds by his Carlton opponents, but it was actually Hayden Ballantyne who did most of the cutting at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. He, along with fellow small forward Michael Walters, tore the Blues to shreds, with ‘Ballaz’ booting three goals and ‘Son Son’ four. The fiery forward pocket was cast into his usual role of antagonist by the Carlton fans, especially after he was given a free kick for the torn shirt incident and then later let Andrew Walker know he had just pinged him for holding the ball by whispering a few friendly words into the Blue’s ear. To the Freo fans, Ballantyne was one of many protagonists in purple.

Lachie locked and loaded

Lachie Neale didn’t enjoy the best of starts to Saturday night’s game. He was caught with the ball on a number of occasions and committed a terrible turnover right on the quarter time siren that gifted Carlton’s Heath Scotland a shot on goal, which the Blue missed. Whatever Ross Lyon said to the 20-year-old at half-time, it worked. Neale kicked two massive goals in succession and performed numerous pressure acts in what was another sign that Fremantle has a midfielder with plenty of potential on its hands.

Famous Tweets

A former defensive star, along with a past number one ticket holder were so excited by Saturday night’s win, they let people know on Twitter. Antoni Grover always played the game without compromise and said things as they were. He relayed his feelings about his old side’s victory with this Tweet.

Golfer Nick O’Hearn was also keeping a close eye on his favourite AFL team, although by the sounds of it, he’d like to be even closer!
The top four race enters the straight

Those in contention for a top four finish have brought out the whips and are about to start cracking them. Collingwood’s thrashing of Essendon allowed Fremantle to replace the Bombers in fourth. Ross Lyon’s side also drew closer to top two teams Hawthorn and Geelong, who both lost on the weekend. Freo is six points behind Hawthorn, a game and significant percentage behind the Swans, and two points off the Cats. The Magpies could help shape the top four, as they take on Sydney and Hawthorn in the next fortnight. The final two rounds also see Geelong play the Swans at Simonds Stadium, and a grand final replay between Sydney and Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium. Fremantle plays the bottom three teams and eighth-placed Port Adelaide in its final month before finals. If the club can snag a top two spot, it will have come without a single victory over a top four side in the home and away season.