1. Nat is back
After enduring another week of speculation about his future at Fremantle – during which a Perth radio host claimed the Dockers’ skipper had verbally agreed on terms to join St Kilda at the end of the year – Nat Fyfe responded with a vintage performance. The Brownlow medallist was hard to contain at stoppages (eight clearances) and helped swing the contest with a nine-disposal, one-goal third quarter. Fyfe finished with 26 possessions (15 contested) and two goals in a welcome return to form.

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2. The Bombers can’t catch a break
Leading into its round seven match, Fremantle was afforded the rare opportunity of an extended stint in Perth. It’s been three weeks since the Dockers left Western Australia and Ross Lyon’s men also enjoyed an eight-day recovery period following last Saturday’s clash with the Eagles. Conversely, the Bombers were faced with their third match in 13 days and the results were telling. After half a match of sustained pressure, Essendon’s 13-point half-time lead was whittled down to just two points at three quarter-time. A zero-to-six-goal final quarter emphasised the Bombers’ need for an extended rest but with a six-day break before their next match against Geelong, they’ll have to hold firm a little longer.

3. Joe’s radar on song
A dynamic target up front, frustrated Essendon fans were crying out to see Joe Daniher’s radar straightened after the big Bomber booted 1.6 from eight opportunities against Melbourne last week to go with 16 behinds for the season. Against the Dockers, however, Daniher was on song. The 23-year old opened his account with a snap from the goalsquare before converting a traditional set shot from 40m out in the second quarter. He was on target again in the third and finished with three goals, seven marks and 20 possessions. By some accounts, Daniher’s season has been a resounding success. The 200cm forward has posted career-high averages in metres gained, disposals and marks, and sat inside the League’s top 20 goalkickers with 16 majors. If Sunday’s accuracy is sustained, the Bombers will have a serious player on their hands.

4. Walters looks good in the middle
Faced with an early ankle injury and wholesale changes to the Dockers’ forward line, Michael Walters has been down on his output. The three-time Fremantle leading goalkicker has managed just five majors in six matches but – as Ross Lyon so often preached throughout 2016 – with adversity comes opportunity. Forced to plug the gaping hole left by Stephen Hill’s hamstring injury, Walters started on the edge of the centre square and ran through the middle for the majority of the contest. The small forward showed clean hands, creativity and line-breaking speed on the way to 26 possessions. 

5. Welcome back, Tabs
Forced to compete for his spot in Fremantle’s forward line after the off-season arrivals of Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten, Matt Taberner started his first match of 2017 in promising form. The 199cm forward opened Fremantle’s scoring with a strong mark and goal from the square before converting another contested mark with seconds left in the first half to keep Fremantle within touching distance. His third and fourth goals followed a similar trend, while his endurance to provide a target down the line – and take seven contested marks – was telling. Taberner’s presence also presented freedom for Shane Kersten in the forward half, while his pinch-hitting ruckwork allowed Michael Johnson to play a sweeping defensive role on a more permanent basis. 

WATCH: Tab's sparkling return to senior action