SUMMARY
Just a few weeks ago a rejuvenated Collingwood was just a game outside the top eight, while reigning minor premier Fremantle had inconceivably slumped to 0-10. Since then, their respective fortunes have reversed, with the injury-plagued Pies losing three in a row and the Dockers winning each of their past three games. A Freo win at the MCG will lift them above the Woods on percentage. The Pies haven't beaten the Dockers since 2012, failing to score more than 73 points in their three subsequent clashes, but haven't lost to Freo at the MCG for 10 years. However, the Dockers have won their past three games on the hallowed turf overall and their hopes of victory in their only game there for the season could hinge on the fitness of veteran Matthew Pavlich.
Michael Barlow is in career-best form. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday, June 24, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2015, Fremantle Dockers 12.8 (80) d Collingwood 11.7 (73) at Domain Stadium
R1, 2014, Fremantle Dockers 17.14 (116) d Collingwood 5.16 (46) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2013, Fremantle Dockers 15.10 (100) d Collingwood 10.13 (73) at Domain Stadium
R14, 2012, Collingwood 15.17 (107) d Fremantle Dockers 12.6 (78) at the MCG
R23, 2011, Collingwood 20.12 (132) d Fremantle Dockers 8.4 (52) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Dockers will be searching for four consecutive wins for the first time since rounds 16-19 last season. In the last three weeks they've tallied 55 goals to just 24 from their opponents.
2. Both sides have struggled to take the ball inside 50 this season – Collingwood is 12th, averaging 50.5, and is 15th for marks inside 50, while Freo is 14th for inside 50s and equal-last for marks inside 50.
3. Collingwood has dominated Fremantle at the MCG, winning six of their eight contests. The Pies have won the past four and the Dockers haven't beaten them at the venue since round 15, 2006.
4. Collingwood and Fremantle meet for the 27th time and the Magpies hold a 15-11 advantage. But the Dockers have won the past three – their equal-longest winning sequence against the Pies.
5. Reigning Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was the difference between the sides the last time they met, with 32 disposals and two goals, while Aaron Sandilands dominated the ruck with 50 hit-outs and 17 disposals – all handballs. However, both are sidelined with injury.
6. By virtue of his career-best 43 possessions (20 contested) in Freo's win over Port Adelaide, midfielder Michael Barlow has leapt from No.157 to No.136 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. His all-time high ranking was 80th at the end of 2014.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … The Pies' selectors.
Coach Nathan Buckley came under heavy fire for picking a top-heavy side including ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts, along with forward/ruckman Mason Cox – a trio that Melbourne big man Max Gawn disposed of with relative ease and which the Demons defenders ran ragged. At the same time, they again banished out-of-sorts spearhead Travis Cloke to the VFL. The Pies' brainstrust will certainly select a more nimble line-up this week.
PREDICTION: Collingwood by four points
