Speaking as a Fremantle Dockers supporter, should we just pretend last week never happened? I think so… Starting a fresh this week!
The Fremantle Dockers come into this round off the back of a 50-point defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Sigh. I really thought that the Dockers would be in with a chance. Unfortunately, my bubble of hope had burst by about half way through the first quarter. A couple of minor positives though, Lachie Neale was impressive for Freo, finishing with 38 disposals. Matt Taberner also had a good first game of the season, taking 9 marks (game high) and finishing with 20 disposals and a goal.
This Saturday at 5.10pm, the Dockers take on Essendon for their first home game at the brand new Optus Stadium. Essendon will be coming into this one on a high after their huge upset win over the Adelaide Crows last round. Not to mention, their coach John Worsfold just signed on with the Bombers for another two years so that would have lifted their spirits even higher. Essendon have made no changes to the team heading to Perth, Adam Saad will play his 50th game, while Josh Green hits his 100 game milestone.
There has been four big changes to the Fremantle Dockers’ line-up for this weekend. Hilly, of the STEPHEN variety, is back! Hilly has been sidelined with a calf injury through preseason, and missed round 1 but thankfully, has been named in the line-up to face the Bombers. Defender Joel Hamling has also been named in the side, along with two debutants, Adam Cerra and Mitchell Crowden. They come in to replace Cam Sutcliffe, Darcy Tucker, Danyle Pearce and Shane Kersten, who have all been omitted.
One of the obvious problems that the Fremantle Dockers have is their lack of goal kicking options. I still feel that Cam McCarthy is not reaching his full potential. He is an accurate goal kicker, and can thump a footy a long way, however, he seems to struggle with positioning himself in the right spot when the Dockers are trying to move the ball into the forward line. With Stephen Hill back in the side, I hope to see Nat Fyfe spend a lot more time in the forward line to increase the chances of the mids hitting a target inside their attacking 50.
I am tipping the Fremantle Dockers to beat the Bombers by 15 points! Wishing everyone a very safe and happy Easter!
Let us know your #AFLFreoDons prediction at @TweetPerth and @EmmaPaynes
Photo cred: @FreoDockers
