SUMMARY
Both sides had their bubbles burst last round as Fremantle's three-game winning streak was snapped in the Western Derby and Essendon was brought back down to earth by Melbourne five days after the Bombers had knocked off Collingwood on Anzac Day. The good news is that one of these teams can go 4-3 after Sunday's game and firmly in the hunt for a finals berth. The Dockers have relied heavily on their star midfielders to rescue their season from 0-2 but Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Lachie Neale struggled for their usual impact in the derby and Freo needs a lift from the next tier to get back on the winners list. Connor Blakely has been super in a run-with role and might go to Dons young gun Zach Merrett, while Joel Hamling's ability to shut down Joe Daniher – who cost the Bombers by booting 1.6 against Melbourne – could be pivotal.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, May 7, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R11, 2016, Fremantle 20.6 (126) d Essendon 6.11 (47) at Domain Stadium
R6, 2015, Fremantle 12.8 (80) d Essendon 7.10 (52) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2014, Fremantle 18.5 (113) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2013, Essendon 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Domain Stadium
R13, 2012, Essendon 17.11 (113) d Fremantle 14.5 (89) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle and Essendon meet for the 31st time and the Bombers hold the advantage winning 18 games to 12, however the Dockers have won six of the last eight.
2. The Bombers will have to overcome a poor recent record in Perth after losing five on the trot to both WA teams, with four defeats by 50 points or more.
3. The Dockers' centre clearance work is a key to their game. Freo is ranked equal fifth averaging 14.7 per game, compared to the Bombers who are equal 11th with an average of 13.
4. No team kicks the ball more than Essendon, which is ranked first for kicks per game with 235, compared to Fremantle ranked 15 and averaging 200.
5. Neither side lays many tackles. The Dockers are 17th averaging 56.3 while the Bombers are 16th with 62.2 per game.
6. Bombers spearhead Joe Daniher slid nine spots to 193rd overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after booting a wayward 1.6 in the loss to Melbourne, five days after winning the Anzac Day Medal.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Michael Walters.
The star small forward has been carrying an ankle injury and – as Ross Lyon pointed out after the Western Derby – lives and dies off crumbs, but Freo needs Walters' spark and for the 26-year-old to hit the scoreboard after two goalless games.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by nine points.
