SUMMARY
Fremantle continues to maintain its advantage at the top of the AFL ladder and a win over the Saints would move it that much closer to locking in a home qualifying final. The Dockers have won their past three games and could be further bolstered if star midfielder Nat Fyfe is passed fit after a one-week lay-off with a quad complaint. Fremantle's real challenge is kicking enough goals, but a match-up against the Saints on Sunday should give them plenty of chances to tinker with a few things ahead of the business end of the season.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, August 9, 4.40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
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 Subiaco Oval
R4, 2012, Fremantle 14.8 (92) d St Kilda 11.13 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2011, St Kilda 16.17 (113) d Fremantle 10.12 (72) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. St Kilda thrashed Fremantle all over the ground the last time the sides met, leading disposals (403-282); marks (147-75); hit-outs (52-39), scoring shots (33-15) and inside 50s (59-42) inside 50s.
2. Fremantle remains the best defensive team in 2015, conceding just 66.5 points per game.
3. St Kilda and Fremantle have played 30 times, with the Saints holding the overall record (17-13).
4. The Dockers are ranked fourth in the AFL for average disposals per game with 375.3. The Saints are ranked eighth with 365.6 disposals per game.
5. St Kilda has lost just once in nine meetings with Fremantle at Etihad Stadium. The Dockers' only win occurred in round four, 2012.
6. Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands scored the sixth-most points (22.3) of the round last weekend in AFL Official Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Alex Pearce. Fremantle's young defender has a golden opportunity to cement a place in Ross Lyon's team after key backman Zac Dawson accepted his two-game ban for striking Jeremy Cameron. With finals fast approaching, a couple of strong showings could have Pearce in the box seat to lock down a spot in the backline.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 33 points
