HEAD TO HEAD: Fremantle 6 wins, North Melbourne 13 wins
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 19.9 (123) d Fremantle 10.9 (69), round 19, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
TV: Fox Sports 1 - (Perth 2:30pm, Melbourne 4:30pm, Adelaide 4:00pm, Sydney/NSW 4:30pm, Brisbane/QLD 4:30pm); Channel 7 - (Perth 3:00pm)
RADIO: 6PR, ABC720, 1116 SEN, ABC774, 3AW, ABC891, FIVEaa, ABC936, ABC105.7, CROC
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
BETFAIR ODDS: Fremantle 1.20, North Melbourne 5.50
FORM: Fremantle: WLW, North Melbourne: LLB
SUMMARY
The effects of an early-season bye were analysed extensively after Fremantle's 25-point win over Adelaide in round three, with the general consensus that a week off was not necessarily beneficial at this stage of the season.
North Melbourne will look to disprove that theory when they travel to Patersons Stadium for Sunday's clash, but the Kangaroos will need more than just fresh legs to overcome an in-form Fremantle.
Mark Harvey's men controlled their clash with the Crows at AAMI Stadium in round three, with young midfielder Nat Fyfe highly influential.
The side overcame the loss of Aaron Sandilands to an eye injury early in the third quarter, with the dominant ruckman expected to be cleared for Sunday's clash.
Sandilands, as always, looms as a key to this match, with North Melbourne armed with Drew Petrie and Todd Goldstein in the ruck.
The Kangaroos travelled to Patersons Stadium in round one to face West Coast without a recognised ruckman, falling four points short. The club will be looking to bounce back from a crushing 87-point loss to 2010 premier Collingwood in round two.
QUESTION MARKS
How will captain Brent Harvey and the young players he publicly pointed the finger at after the Collingwood loss respond this week? An emotional Harvey singled out Sam Wright and Lachie Hansen as players that needed to improve in a post-match interview, with coach Brad Scott quick to label the comments out of character.
Is Stephen Hill ready to turn the tables on Brady Rawlings? The North Melbourne stopper dominated Hill last time these sides met, racking up 39 possessions and keeping Hill to just seven. The young Freo midfielder hits this week in solid form.
PREDICTION
Fremantle by 36 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Second-year midfielder Nat Fyfe impressed in his 18 games last season, but the versatile youngster has made a giant leap this season. With a stronger frame and bigger engine, Fyfe is impacting games from the midfield and averaging 92.33 Dream Team points. He is valued at $304,500 and all indications suggest his price will continue to climb.
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
