SUMMARY
The Dockers have wobbled over the past couple of weeks and the Demons provide them with an opportunity to get back on track ahead of the finals. Ross Lyon's team have feasted on Melbourne in recent times. They've only once failed to kick 100 points in the last five encounters and the Demons have not managed seven goals in any of those matches. The Dockers need to sharpen their ball use to kick bigger scores as the midfield is still finding plenty of the football. The Demons just need a competitive performance after their loss to Carlton - they cannot afford another slow start.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, August 30, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
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 MC
R9, 2013, Fremantle 19.16 (130) d Melbourne 6.4 (40) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2012, Fremantle 14.17 (101) d Melbourne 5.10 (40) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle dominated Melbourne in round five. The Dockers had 28 scoring shots to 20, 416 disposals to 303, 136 marks to 92, 59 inside 50s to 39 and won by 68 points.
2. The Dockers still have the best defence in the AFL, conceding only 69.4 points a game. The Demons concede almost 93 points a game.
3. The Dockers are fourth in the AFL this season for contested possessions, averaging 140.3 a game. The Demons are ninth at 135.7.
4. Melbourne has not won in Perth since 2004. The Demons have lost 15 games in a row at Subiaco. They have kicked less than 10 goals in all of their past five games there.
5. Melbourne has kicked only four goals combined in the first halves of its past two games to the 24 of its opponents.
6. Four Dockers are in the top 50 of the Official AFL Player Ratings – Nat Fyfe (1), Aaron Sandilands (14), David Mundy (38) and Stephen Hill (50). Melbourne’s highest-ranked player is Nathan Jones at 70.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Bernie Vince
Vince starred in the Demons' last win in round 18 with 30 possessions and three goals against Collingwood. Since then he's gathered just 14, 23 and 15 touches without kicking a goal in three matches. The Demons need a big game from him.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 50 points.
