SUMMARY
Fremantle will chase a third win in a row when it meets Brisbane on Sunday. The Dockers produced their best hour of the season when they blew out the Blues a fortnight ago, kicking 12 unanswered goals in the first half. Fremantle's youngsters, led by Brennan Cox, Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw, again gave a glimpse of their immense potential in the victory. They'll now hope they won't have any lingering cobwebs coming back from the bye. The Lions suffered their 12th loss in 13 games, with a horrific head injury to Harris Andrews taking the shine off what was otherwise a competitive effort against the Giants. It was Luke Hodge's best game in a Brisbane jumper, with the former Hawthorn premiership-winning captain collecting 30 disposals and providing plenty of leadership down back.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday July 1, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
THE LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2017: Brisbane 18.13 (121) d Fremantle 9.10 (64) at the Gabba
R12, 2016: Fremantle 23.9 (147) d Brisbane 9.10 (64) at the Gabba
R14, 2015: Fremantle 13.6 (84) d Brisbane 7.6 (48) at Subiaco
R22, 2014: Fremantle 15.16 (106) d Brisbane 6.12 (48) at the Gabba
R14, 2014: Fremantle 15.15 (105) d Brisbane 3.4 (22) at Subiaco
THE SIX POINTS
1. Brisbane thrashed Fremantle at the Gabba in 2017. The Lions dominated with 122 more disposals, 41 more marks and 18 more clearances.
2. The Lions are the worst first quarter team this season. They are -189 in total points and have lost all 13 opening terms. The Dockers are +74 in opening quarters.
3. Brisbane's win in 2017 was its first over Fremantle since 2009. Fremantle had won nine contests in a row. The Lions haven't won two in a row over Fremantle since 2008-09.
4. Fremantle has won five of seven matches at Optus Stadium this season, while they haven't lost to Brisbane in Perth since 2009. The Lions have lost all six interstate matches this season.
5. The Dockers will be aiming for three straight wins for the first time since rounds seven to nine last season. If the Lions lose, it will be the second time in three seasons they've lost 13 of their first 14 games to start a campaign.
6. Another standout performance last week has seen Daniel Rich rise in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. He surged past Shannon Hurn and is now the fourth-ranked small-medium defender, behind only Jeremy Howe, Zac Williams and Jack Crisp.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Surely this is the week for Andrew Brayshaw. A consistent performer all season, the young midfielder has barely missed a beat and would be just about the next man in the queue for a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. He had back-to-back 20-disposal games before Fremantle's bye, so look for him to produce another standout performance this weekend.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 24 points
