Any news about Richmond seemed to involve Martin McGrath. Despite the sensational debut he still didn't get a rising start nomination. Richmond tried to keep a lid on it all, but it was hard. In a way it was probably good that we were playing away from Melbourne, at least the kid wouldn't be overwhelmed by expectation. For about the first time in the season we were able to go in with an unchanged side. I personally would have liked one change to be made and that was someone like Fiora to make way for a fully fit Greg Stafford. Alas we went to Fremantle Staffordless.

Freo were aiming at 11 wins, a club first, and they had not been beaten by any non West Australian side at Subiaco since 2001, so the Tigers were always going to be up against it.

Freo won the toss and Richmond was kicking against a swirling breeze that seemed to be more of a hindrance than a help to both teams. It was an arm wrestle for half of the first quarter until Rodan pinched an errant pass to Fremantle ruckman Adam Sandilands and went on a trademark Rodan run down the ground, four bounces later he lined up the big sticks and banged it right through the middle. The teams traded goals with Fremantle going into quarter time just ahead. They extended that early in the second quarter, with Richmond having more of the ball in their forward line, but wasting opportunities. Two booming running goals within 60 seconds to Greg Tivendale saw the Tigers wrest the lead back briefly before a couple of Richmond turnovers allowed the Dockers to regain the lead at half time. They held the buffer during the 3rd quarter with the small Tiger forward line unable to take advantage of the opportunities given them by a dominant midfield duo in Coughlan and Johnson and a revitalized Richardson. The last quarter was more of the same. McManus ended the Tiger fight with a rather dubious free in front of goal. It was one I expected to lose and at least Richmond had a go. The big challenge is to try and beat St Kilda next week and overcome the West Australia hoodoo. Jay Schulz with 2 goals looks to have some potential and Rodan also got 2 with good small forward play and some spirited roving. Over the course of the game Johnson was Richmond's best and had they won the game he would have been judged best on ground.