SUMMARY
Fremantle is clinging to eighth spot after two straight losses and makes the longest trip in the competition to take on the battling Brisbane Lions. When the teams met 12 months ago, the Dockers won in a canter, and based on form across the first half of the season, should win comfortably again this time. But the Lions are rested following the bye, and Fremantle has lost successive matches to Adelaide and Collingwood to put the brakes on their promising season. The midfield match-up is intriguing with Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and Brad Hill up against Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko. That's where both teams are strongest and where this match should be won. The Dockers are deserving favourites, but a Lions upset wouldn't totally surprise.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, Saturday, June 10, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2016, Fremantle 23.9 (147) d Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64) at the Gabba
R14, 2015, Fremantle 13.6 (84) d Brisbane Lions 7.6 (48) at Domain Stadium
R22, 2014, Fremantle 15.16 (106) d Brisbane Lions 6.12 (48) at the Gabba
R14, 2014, Fremantle 15.15 (105) d Brisbane Lions 3.4 (22) at Domain Stadium
R12, 2013, Fremantle 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 6.10 (46) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. When the teams met in 2016 the Dockers ran riot with a nine-goal second quarter. Matt Taberner kicked five goals for the match and Connor Blakely was best on ground with 29 disposals.
2. Despite sitting in the top eight, the Dockers' scoring issues have continued, averaging just 77 points a game. They’ve failed to reach 100 points in nine of their 11 games.
3. Fremantle has dominated the Lions over a long period, winning the past nine matches – including two by more than 80 points. The Lions' most recent victory was in round 16, 2009.
4. No team has won fewer quarters this season than the Lions, with just 11, including winning the fourth quarter just once. The Dockers have won 18 quarters and been a strong finishing team, winning seven third terms and six final quarters.
5. The Lions have been on the right side of the umpires' whistles this season, winning 20.9 free kicks a game – first in the AFL. The Dockers are mid-table, winning just 18.5.
6. Nat Fyfe has slipped outside the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings for the first time since the 2013 preliminary final. Fyfe is now ranked 102nd overall – down from 29th at the start of the season.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Cam McCarthy
After a promising start to his first season with the Dockers, McCarthy has hit the skids of late. The former Giants has kicked just four goals in the past four weeks, but against an inexperienced Lions backline, should have a chance to contribute more if his midfield breaks even.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 20 points
