Can the Fremantle Dockers use the momentum from their upset win last week to get the best of the Bombers?
The Fremantle Dockers come into this game on the back of an awesome upset win over Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium last weekend. Let’s be honest, the game was ugly. Very ugly. Not to mention the tackle from Ryan Nyhuis that KO’d Port’s Robbie Gray, resulting in a three-week suspension. Brennan Cox was again Freo’s highest goal scorer, finishing with two goals. David Mundy is in impressive form, finishing with 29 disposals and a goal. Bailey Banfield managed a game-high nine tackles, and Luke Ryan also stood out for the Fremantle Dockers, finishing with 28 disposals and one EPIC mark!
This week the Fremantle Dockers take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium. There are two changes to Freo’s line-up to face the Bombers this week. Taylin Duman and Darcy Tucker come into the squad, they replace Ryan Nyhuis (suspension) and an injured Stephen Hill (quad). Nyhuis and Hill join Aaron Sandilands, skipper Nat Fyfe and Connor Blakely on the injury list, leaving a youthful team to fight for the consecutive win. Mitch Crowden, Brady Grey, Michael Johnson and Danyle Pearce have been named as emergencies.
There’s a lot to like about the Bombers. They have won six of their last eight games, including a 44-point win over Gold Coast last weekend. Essendon have also made two changes to their line-up this week with the inclusion of Orazio Fantasia (BT will be happy) and David Zaharakis. They come in for Conor McKenna (injured) and Jake Long (omitted). Darcy Parish hit’s his 50-game milestone this week.
Essendon will have the home ground advantage this week however, I don’t think we should underestimate the young Dockers side. We are seeing players like Banfield, Adam Cerra and Stefan Giro improve from game to game, and don’t look to be slowing down any time soon.
I’m tipping the Fremantle Dockers to beat the Bombers by 5 points!
Let us know your #AFLDonsFreo predictions at @TweetPerth and @EmmaPaynes.
Photo cred: @FreoDockers
