Fremantle’s win over Richmond in round 5 was by the smallest possible margin – one point.

And it wasn’t just the scoreboard that was incredibly close, with most of the key performance indicators also tighter than Luke McPharlin’s play against opposition forwards.

Freo had 29 more kicks, but the Tigers had two more handballs. Both sides disposed of the ball at similar efficiency, with Fremantle going at 72.6 per cent and Richmond 70.4 per cent.

The Tigers won the contested possessions 155-145 and took seven more contested marks. But Fremantle had 39 more uncontested possessions and 42 more uncontested marks.

Richmond also won the tackle count 73-64, which went against the season averages for both sides this season.

Freo averages 68 tackles a game compared the Tigers’ AFL-worst 56. That stat highlights the pressure Richmond brought to Patersons Stadium in round 5.

Freo will also have to replace the four goals Hayden Ballantyne kicked against the Tigers, although the side has proved on many occasions this season it doesn’t rely on any one player.

Expect Ryan Crowley to get the gig on brilliant Richmond midfielder Brett Deledio again. He held the Tiger to just 10 kicks and 10 handballs in round 5.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin was a star in round 5 with 26 disposals at 83.3 per cent kicking efficiency.

For Freo, Michael Barlow had 31 touches, but his kicking efficiency was a low 38.9 per cent. Nat Fyfe had 23 disposals to be among our best.

The round 5 game was Garrick Ibbotson’s first for the season, and he was a star with 24 disposals at 83.3 per cent efficiency and 11 uncontested marks in defence.