SUMMARY
The Bombers face an enormous task this week taking on the unbeaten Dockers at home. Essendon is one of only three teams to have beaten Fremantle at Domain Stadium since June 2012, but the Dockers are in red-hot form, with their midfield dominant over the first five rounds. Jobe Watson and his colleagues will have to quell the impact of Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and company. The Dockers have a huge advantage in the ruck and the Bombers will also need to find a way through one of the most frugal defences in the AFL to win.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Saturday, May 9, 6.10pm AWST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2014, Fremantle 18.5 (113) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Subiaco Oval
R3, 2013, Essendon 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Subiaco Oval
R13, 2012, Essendon 17.11 (113) d Fremantle 14.5 (89) at Subiaco Oval
R12, 2011, Fremantle 15.8 (98) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Subiaco Oval
R2, 2010, Fremantle 17.11 (113) d Essendon 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The last time these sides met the Dockers dominated the hit-outs 62-14, scoring shots 23-15 and won the inside 50s 45-30 to set up a 53-point win.
2. The Bombers are ranked second for average disposals per game in 2015 with 390.6 per game. The Dockers are ranked sixth with 384.4 per game.
3. Fremantle's scoring rate continues to improve. The Dockers have kicked an average score of 96.4 points in 2015 compared to 92.2 in 2014. Essendon is 16th this season for points per game with just under 74.8.
4. This will be the fifth consecutive clash between these sides played in Perth. The Dockers have won eight of the 14 clashes overall at Domain Stadium.
5. Dockers star Nat Fyfe is the number one contested possession player so far in 2015 with a total of 90. Essendon's best, Jobe Watson, is ranked equal 22nd in the AFL.
6. Aaron Sandilands (46th overall) is the fourth ranked ruckman in the competition according to the Official AFL Player Ratings. Jonathon Giles (288th overall) is the highest ranked Bomber ruckman in 15th. Tom Bellchambers (347th overall) is 17th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jake Carlisle. The Bombers are struggling to kick a winning score at the moment. Carlisle kicked four crucial goals last week but this week he faces one of the best defensive units in the AFL led by Luke McPharlin.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 30 points
