1. Fremantle is making a habit of coming from behind
The slow-starting Dockers have faced the realistic prospect of defeat in each of their six wins this year. In the first quarter against Carlton, Fremantle was outworked and outsmarted as the Blues – employing a high-possession game – broke out to a 28-point lead before their opponents had even sent the ball inside their own attacking arc. But the Dockers attacked the ball harder in the second quarter, restricting the Blues’ space and reducing the deficit to just two points at the long break. Carlton rallied briefly after half time but with heavy rain settling in at the final change, Fremantle's 22-point lead was too much to overhaul. Freo's fight will satisfy Ross Lyon, but the Dockers coach will be acutely aware that such slow starts are likely to be punished by more credentialed opponents – as he found out in the club's last loss against West Coast.

Full match details and stats

2. How long will Ballantyne stay in the WAFL?
Small forwards Brady Grey and Hayden Crozier would have watched on with mixed emotions on Saturday afternoon after Hayden Ballantyne returned to competitive football with a promising two-goal, 13-disposal performance in just 60 minutes of game time for Peel Thunder. Crozier in particular needed a big performance, having kicked just one goal in three weeks before the clash against Carlton, and showed his wares with a clever second-quarter goal from deep in the left forward pocket. The lively goal-sneak kicked another important goal in the same quarter and set up Shane Kersten with a clever tap over his shoulder in the third quarter. He finished with three goals, four tackles and 12 disposals in one of the best displays of his career. Grey entered the match with some doubt over his fitness after injuring his shoulder late in last week's thrilling win over Richmond but played with courage and tenacity. However the 21-year old failed to impact the scoreboard but for a final-quarter goal assist and had just seven disposals. He appears in more danger of losing his spot should Fremantle decide to rush Ballantyne into the senior side. 

3. Murphy’s response
After enduring the backlash of last weekend's sledging saga, Marc Murphy responded with an impressive showing. The Carlton skipper set the tone early with a nine-disposal first term, including a miraculous snapped goal while being spun in a tackle when the conditions were at their torrential worst. Murphy was clean with the ball when so many of his teammates weren't and shook Connor Blakely's tag to gather 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions and seven clearances. Fremantle seemed to pay the onballer no more physical or verbal attention than usual as he went about his business as one of his team's primary playmakers.

4. 'ASOS' returns to Perth
After 53 games in seven seasons as a Docker, Alex Silvagni's return to Subiaco stirred applause from the home faithful, as it did in the JLT series before the 29-year-old was taken from the field with concussion. Silvagni – who before the game described the task of playing Fremantle in WA as "daunting" – fared better this time around, gathering 15 disposals playing against Shane Kersten. His form has been excellent since his club debut in round six – a match in which he held Swans superstar Lance Franklin goalless – and his influence in defence has allowed promising tall Jacob Weitering to spend time in attack when possible as the Blues seek to resolve their goal-kicking woes. 

5. Injury Blues
Carlton was left with just two rotations on its interchange bench for much of the second half after injuries to Sam Rowe and Dale Thomas. Rowe left the ground early in the second term after his right leg was caught under a Nat Fyfe smother. The key defender returned to the field minutes later before his knee collapsed again under his own weight, without incurring any contact. The extent of the injury will be determined after scans on Monday. Dale Thomas was also sidelined after a head clash with Alex Silvagni in the second quarter, reporting blurred vision to the club's medicos. He spent the rest of the match on the pine as the Blues were outrun after the long break.