1. Cats pull off great escape
Down to one healthy player on the bench and playing one of its worst games of the season, Geelong dug deep to pull out a victory it had no right to claim. Trailing by 19 points at three-quarter time, Geelong pulled out all the stops to seal a gusty victory. With Joel Selwood (concussion), Tom Stewart (eye) and Darcy Lang (knee) all forced to watch on, two goals from James Parsons and one to Tom Hawkins proved the difference in the final term. However, the Dockers had the chance to win the game with the final kick of the game, but Michael Walters' shot from 25m out straight in front veered off to the left as the siren sounded handing the Cats a nail-biting two-point win.
2. Youthful Dockers almost cause the biggest upset of the season
You would have to be an extremely optimistic Fremantle supporter to give the Dockers any chance against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, sans Nat Fyfe (bruised sternum) and Aaron Sandilands (hamstring). But fielding its youngest team for the season (24 years and 19 months), Fremantle defied all the odds to nearly complete a stunning victory. It was on the back of youth that the Dockers prospered. Sean Darcy and Josh Deluca (13 disposals), who became Fremantle's fifth and sixth debutants for the season, were integral. Darcy Tucker, playing in his 22nd match, booted three goals from 18 disposals. Brennan Cox also had his moments, while Griffin Logue got another opportunity at senior level. It would have been a remarkable win had they pulled it off, but, the result aside, it was a tremendous effort by Ross Lyon's inexperienced side.
3. Inspirational captain concussed in opening minute
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was knocked out in the first 45 seconds of the match against Fremantle at Simonds Stadium. Selwood clashed heads with Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne as both players attacked the footy inside 50. The Cats captain lay motionless for a few minutes as his teammates signalled for the medical staff. Rather than getting on the stretcher, a dazed Selwood first walked and then jogged off the ground, to cheers from the Cats faithful, as he retreated to the club's changerooms. Selwood took no further part in the game and given his history of head knocks he would have to be in some doubt to face Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium next Saturday night.
4. Darcy follows in Sandi's giant footsteps
Without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands and regular back-up Jonathon Griffin, the Dockers were forced to turn to debutant Sean Darcy to shoulder the ruck load. The 19-year-old more than held his own and helped his side build a solid lead with 24 hit-outs, nine disposals and five clearances to half-time. The former Geelong Falcon was dominant against Rhys Stanley in the first half before tiring the further the game went on. Regardless, Darcy, selected with pick No.38 in last year's draft, stands at 202cm and weighs 110kg, making him the perfect replacement when Sandilands hangs up his big boots.
5. Ballantyne stirs up Geelong again
Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne has a colourful history against Geelong and that continued at Simonds Stadium on Sunday. Ballantyne has been famously the chief irritant when these teams have clashed, most notably in round one, 2012, when Matthew Scarlett punched him in the jaw in the game at Domain Stadium. Playing in his first game for the season, following a long layoff with a hamstring complaint, Ballantyne was one of his side's best. The 29-year-old kicked two majors as part of Fremantle's run of seven-straight goals in the second term. As is Ballantyne's style, he also got involved in a few scuffles including one with Zach Tuohy.
