SUMMARY
Richmond broke a six-game losing streak last week but the Dockers are yet to break their duck in 2016. The Tigers broke the Dockers' nine-game winning streak at the start of last season at Domain Stadium but were thumped by West Coast in their last trip west in round four. Both teams have got their issues but the Tigers have found some scoring power in the last two weeks against high-quality opposition. The Dockers' midfield must find a way to curb the influence of Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin. Matthew Pavlich returns for the Dockers but he is set to face Alex Rance. Both sides have been struggling with turnovers this season, particularly coming out of defence. The team that uses the ball the best will win.
David Mundy's last-gasp winner got the Dockers over the line at the MCG in 2015. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Saturday, May 21, 5.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R17, 2015, Fremantle 12.10 (82) d Richmond 10.18 (78) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Richmond 15.7 (97) d Fremantle 10.10 (70) at Domain Stadium
R13, 2014, Fremantle 16.9 (105) d Richmond 12.13 (85) at the MCG
R17, 2013, Richmond 12.12 (84) d Fremantle 8.9 (57) at the MCG
R5, 2013, Fremantle 12.9 (81) d Richmond 12.8 (80) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. It was a thriller between these sides the last time they met. David Mundy kicked the winning goal for the Dockers with less than a minute remaining. Mundy was best on ground with 28 disposals and one goal.
2. Richmond has improved its form in the last two weeks. In the first six weeks the Tigers kicked an average score of 80. In the last two games they have averaged 95 points.
3. Both sides don't collect a lot of uncontested disposals. The Tigers are ranked 15th for uncontested possessions, just ahead of Fremantle in 16th.
4. The teams have played 15 times at Domain Stadium with nine wins to six in the Dockers' favour. Fremantle has won three of the last four.
5. The Dockers haven't lost nine consecutive games in a season since the middle of 2009. Including last season's preliminary final they have now lost 10 in a row.
6. Richmond star Alex Rance is the highest-ranked key defender in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Rance is ranked 31st overall. The Dockers' highest-ranked key defender is injured veteran Michael Johnson at 255.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Cam Sutcliffe.
His kicking coming out of defence has let him down so far this season. His disposal efficiency was just 56 per cent in Launceston. He needs to lift his efficiency this week if the Dockers are to trouble Richmond.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 10 points
