Who impressed

Clayton Oliver
Reminder: This man is just 20 years old. Oliver continues to play like a seasoned star in his prime, bossing the midfield and setting the example at the coalface. He finished with ridiculous numbers of 35 touches, 19 contested possessions, seven tackles and a couple of goals to boot.

Max Gawn
The big man’s eyes would likely have lit up when he realised Aaron Sandilands wouldn’t be making the trip north for this one. Gawn had too many tricks for the returning Sean Darcy at stoppages, smashing out 41 hitouts to help set up his side’s 42-28 advantage in clearances. He added a goal after the three-quarter time siren to dampen Freo’s spirits.

Angus Brayshaw
Melbourne’s Brayshaw showed Fremantle’s version how it’s done. That’s not to say Docker Andrew had a poor night, but his older brother continued his hot mid-season form with another fine showing in the top end. The helmeted wingman shrugged off an ankle knock to notch 16 contested possessions and provide many a forward thrust.

Stephen Hill
Game 200 won’t be one to remember for the Dockers veteran. But Hill was one of few players in white and purple to be able to hold his head high. He racked up 25 touches and equalled a career high with 10 tackles to highlight his work rate.

Jesse Hogan
The WA product’s opening minutes set the tone for Melbourne’s scoreboard domination. Hogan had four shots at goal and plenty of the footy before Shane Kersten and Fremantle realised what hit it. He missed the first three before finally converting, and while he wouldn’t kick another until the game’s dying stages, the foundation had been laid.

Who didn’t

Brandon Matera
It wasn’t a memorable night for the Gold Coast recruit. Matera never really got going, registering just 12 touches and butchering the footy on occasion. A late sprayed shot at goal on the run drew jeers from the crowd.

Lachie Neale
Fremantle had worse players on the night, but by Neale’s lofty standards, this was a quiet one. Without Nat Fyfe in tow, Neale struggled to carry the midfield burden against Melbourne’s deep on-ball division. He finished with just 18 disposals - his lowest tally for a full game in more than a year - as the Dees ran amok.

Michael Apeness
It was a tough outing for some of the big men in Darwin’s hot July conditions. Apeness battled in his pinch-hitting role against Gawn and had little impact up forward, though he wasn’t helped by a lack of supply.