The Dockers take on the reigning premiers away from home this week… As a Freo supporter, this is basically my worst nightmare.

The Fremantle Dockers showed some improvements last week against GWS at Domain Stadium, it just wasn’t enough to get them over the line. Despite Freo’s 500 kicks out of bounds on the full, I feel that they showed promise in every other aspect of the game.

Goal kicking accuracy seemed to improve, notably with Chris Mayne, who has been struggling lately in front of goal, kicking 3.1 last week. All-round aggression towards the ball also seemed to be on the rise. I love how the newer players are really giving their all each game and literally throwing their bodies on the line. I have also been impressed with Lee Spurr lately in defence, almost every week he is jogging off the field bleeding from the head somewhere, just to get patched up and run back out there. He is getting amongst it and being physical and that’s what I like to see from defenders. I don’t really want to talk about the rest of the back-line, one player in particular just frustrates the heck out of me so I will just pretend that the backline is fine… *cough*

This week Fremantle has the herculean task of taking on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium. Luke Hodge being out due to injury is a blessing for the Fremantle Dockers however, I don’t think it will make too much of a difference with the result. Sam Mitchell will be available for selection after missing last week with a calf complaint. I would never wish injuries on anyone, but surely one more week off would be good for Mitchell, just to make sure that calf is good and healed…? Then he can come back on a week that Fremantle is not the opposition…? A girl can dream!

As I have been saying each week, as long as the Dockers are competitive and continue to show improvements from week to week I will be happy, regardless of the result. (Obviously I would be totally stoked with a win a though!)

As far as tipping goes, I suppose I would be crazy not to tip the Hawks. I am going to have my fingers crossed that it won’t be blow out on the scoreboard, so I’m tipping Hawthorn to beat Fremantle Dockers by 20 points.

Let us know you #AFLHawksFreo predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne