Well, if Fremantle Dockers are going to win a game this season, everyone would probably think, or hope, that this would be the one…

Although, I thought the same thing when Freo played Carlton… *bad memories flooding back*

Fremantle Dockers face the Bombers at home on Saturday in round 11. If someone had of asked me who would win out of these two teams 10 weeks ago, my answer would most definitely have been “Umm HELLO, of course Fremantle will win!” Having to answer the question now however, makes me feel a little bit sick.

The Dockers lost another player to injury last week in their loss against the Saints, Garrick Ibbotson will now be sidelined for a month with a wrist injury. Cam Sutcliffe’s ankle injury (also from last weekend) will have to be assessed this week before we know if he is in or out. It didn’t look too good when it happened and he appeared to be in a lot of pain so I am not too confident that he will be fit. My fingers are crossed for him though! Ross Lyon has said that he thinks skipper David Mundy will return this week and replace Ibbotson in defence.

WA will welcome ex-Docker and Essendon recruit Ryan Crowley back to it’s shores this weekend, it may not be a warm welcome, we all know what kind of reception ex-players usually get from the crowd when they play against their old teams, it will still be a welcome none the less. Personally, I think Crowley did a good thing signing with the Bombers, the way things ended for him at Freo was unfortunate, so I hold no hard feelings against him at all.

It will be a battle of the bottom two teams this week (arguably, a battle for the wooden spoon) and a chance for Fremantle Dockers to come off the bottom of the ladder if they can get over the line. Freo and Essendon are the lowest scoring sides in the competition this season, and the last on the list for marks inside 50’s. One positive stat for Essendon is that they are second in the competition for uncontested possessions, while Freo are second last…

I am looking forward to watching Freo’s young guys such as Connor Blakely and Lachie Weller, who have both been impressive. The tiny bit of enjoyment I get out of Freo games lately is the fact that the new guys are literally gaining confidence and experience in front of our eyes, and improving from week to week.

I rarely get a chance to tip Fremantle these days, so when there is even the SLIGHTEST chance that they may get the win, I am going to back them! I am tipping Fremantle Dockers to beat Essendon by 10 points.

Let us know your #AFLDockersBombers predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne