Any chance that the Fremantle Dockers could gain some percentage this week?
If they were going to win a game by a considerable margin, this is it! The Fremantle Dockers head over to the GABBA to take on bottom-of-the-ladder Brisbane Lions, hopefully to break their two-game losing streak, and gather some much-needed percentage. The Dockers are currently sitting in 8th spot on the AFL ladder and really can’t afford to lose too many more games if they are to stay on track to play finals.
Fremantle come into this round off a 20-point loss to the Pies at Domain Stadium last week. Collingwood came over on a mission and recorded their first win at Domain in six years, kicking the final four goals of the game to make coach Nathan Buckley a happy man. Jamie Elliott kicked three goals for the Pies however, finished the game on crutches after injuring his ankle in the final term. Elliott wasn’t Collingwood’s only casualty for the game, Tyson Goldsack injured his shoulder and Daniel Wells copped another calf injury.
The Fremantle Dockers struggled to shut down the Pies, their forward line was basically non-existent with midfielder Brady Grey their only multiple goal scorer. Cam McCarthy, Shane Kersten and Matt Taberner managed just 10 marks and three goals between them, which is a worrying sign for Freo at this point in the season. Coach Ross Lyon has made three changes to the squad to face the Lions with the inclusion of Tommy Sheridan, Sam Collins (YAY!) and debutant Brennan Cox (DOUBLE YAY!). They come in for Ed Langdon who is out with a knee complaint, along with Taberner and Ethan Hughes who have both been omitted.
Unfortunately super(ruck)man Aaron Sandilands is still out with his hamstring injury, he will hopefully be ready to return after Freo’s bye. Connor Blakely was the highest possession getter for Freo last week finishing with 26 disposals, followed by skipper Nat Fyfe with 24 disposals and a goal. The Dockers’ more experienced players such as David Mundy, Lachie Neale and Stephen and Bradley Hill need to step it up a notch this weekend and try and get more of the footy. I will be keeping my eye on McCarthy and Kersten… It’s time for them to have an impact for Freo and contribute on the scoreboard.
I think Freo will bounce back this weekend and get themselves back on the winners list. I am tipping the Fremantle Dockers to beat the Brisbane Lions by 25 points. Ideally, they will win by a lot more to boost their percentage!
Let us know your #AFLLionsFreo predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaPaynes.
