SUMMARY
Fremantle is on a four-game losing run but the young Dockers' gutsy effort to almost overcome the Cats in Geelong was a positive step forward after three poor performances before the bye. Although wins and losses aren't coach Ross Lyon's primary concern, Freo must defeat St Kilda if it is to keep the finals window ajar. The Dockers are a win and 18 per cent behind the eighth-placed Saints on the ladder, and hope to regain superstar Nat Fyfe and influential big man Aaron Sandilands for Sunday's clash. St Kilda has won the past two against North Melbourne and Gold Coast without playing scintillating football, but Alan Richardson's men just need to keep notching victories on the path to September. The Saints have lost 11 of their past 12 interstate games and a rare road win would be a huge boost.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, July 2, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2016, St Kilda 15.11 (101) d Fremantle 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2015, Fremantle 15.6 (96) d St Kilda 8.11 (59) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2014, St Kilda 17.16 (118) d Fremantle 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2013, St Kilda 16.16 (112) d Fremantle 6.5 (41) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2013, Fremantle 15.10 (100) d St Kilda 11.4 (70) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle and St Kilda clash for the 33rd time and the Saints hold a narrow 18-14 advantage. Since 2012 it's three wins apiece.
2. St Kilda will be searching for a first win at Domain Stadium in seven attempts. The Saints went down to West Coast by 19 points in Perth in round three.
3. The Dockers almost shocked Geelong last round but eventually went down for a fourth straight loss. They have struggled to score over the past month, averaging 66 points per game, down from an average of 76 (No.17 in the AFL) across the season.
4. The Saints build their game around pressure and have been a strong tackling side in 2017, averaging 70.6 per game (ranked seventh in the League). Freo has laid the fewest tackles in the competition, averaging only 61.7.
5. When the teams played in round 10 last year the Dockers led by 13 points at three quarter-time before the Saints kicked eight final quarter goals to three behinds. The Saints lost the inside 50s and clearances but laid 31 more tackles.
6. Fremantle ball magnet Lachie Neale is surging up the Schick AFL Player Ratings and is on the verge of breaking into the top 10 for the first time. The reigning Doig medallist is up to 13th overall, climbing 21 positions since the end of last year.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Cam McCarthy
The former Giant has hit a bit of a lull after a strong start to his Fremantle career and the Dockers could use a lift from their spearhead. McCarthy has only gone goalless once this season, but in the past five games he is averaging fewer than eight disposals.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by two points
