SUMMARY
Melbourne would be steaming after failing to clinch victory due to a wasteful display in front of goal against Geelong last week. Inaccuracy cost the Demons dearly and they will be looking to rectify that against the Dockers. Melbourne will also be without Max Gawn, with the big ruckman to miss up to three months following hamstring surgery. The ruck task will be made more difficult for likely call-up Jake Spencer, with leading Dockers big man Aaron Sandilands peering at him across the other side of the centre circle. The Dockers caused an early contender for upset of the season last weekend, after Ross Lyon's youthful team defeated last year's premiers the Western Bulldogs. Lyon decided to play the kids, and the new approach breathed fresh life into a previously winless side. The Dockers will try to take a similar emboldened mindset into the game against the Demons.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, April 11, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2016, Melbourne 12.15 (87) d Fremantle 8.7 (55) at TIO Stadium
R22, 2015, Fremantle 17.6 (108) d Melbourne 8.6 (54) at Domain Stadium
R5, 2015, Fremantle 18.10 (118) d Melbourne 6.14 (50) at the MCG
R16, 2014, Fremantle 15.7 (97) d Melbourne 4.10 (34) at TIO Stadium
R21, 2013, Fremantle 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 5.8 (38) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Melbourne’s midfield dominated when these teams last played. Nathan Jones was best on ground with 35 disposals and seven clearances ahead of seven teammates who had 25 or more disposals.
2. The Demons have taken more marks than any other side so far in 2017, averaging 118.7. However their contested marking has been down, ranked 17th in the AFL.
3. The Demons' win over Freo in 2016 ended the Dockers' recent dominance of seven consecutive victories from 2012-15.
4. No team has taken the ball inside 50 less so far in 2017 than the Dockers, averaging just 46.3 per game. Melbourne is equal-seventh with 55.7 entries per game.
5. Fremantle has struggled to score in 2017, ranked second last for points per game with only 72. They haven’t kicked 100 points in a game since round 12 last season and haven’t topped the ton in a game in Melbourne since round 4, 2016.
6. Three Demons – Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen and Jack Watts – were all named in the Schick AFL Player Ratings' Team of the Week for round three.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jake Spencer
With Max Gawn to be sidelined for up to three months, the responsibility of carrying the ruck burden now rests on Spencer's shoulders. The back-up ruckman will have his hands full against Aaron Sandilands, who leads the AFL in hit-outs. Spencer has played just 36 games since making his debut in 2009 and none last season. However, his audition starts now and Spencer's role in the ruck will be crucial as the Demons bid to maintain a winning record in Gawn's absence.
PREDICTION: Melbourne by 22 points
