SUMMARY
North Melbourne notched its sixth consecutive win after defeating St Kilda in Hobart last weekend, while ladder leader Fremantle was always on the back foot after West Coast's lightning-quick start in the Western Derby. The seventh-placed Kangaroos are desperate for a scalp after being taught a lesson by the Dockers in their last encounter. Knocking off the Dockers will be a major challenge, but the Roos can't be underestimated at their favoured venue in Etihad Stadium. The task ahead, however, will be made more difficult by the absence of vice-captain Jack Ziebell, who has accepted his one-game ban for striking Saint Jack Newnes.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 23, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2015, Fremantle 17.13 (115) d North Melbourne 5.12 (42) at Subiaco Oval
R6, 2014, North Melbourne 10.14 (74) d Fremantle 8.13 (61) at Subiaco Oval
R13, 2013, Fremantle 10.7 (67) d North Melbourne 4.5 (29) at Subiaco Oval
R22, 2012, Fremantle 20.12 (132) d North Melbourne 12.7 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2011, North Melbourne 21.17 (143) d Fremantle 6.9 (45) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Nat Fyfe (37 touches), Lachie Neale (34) and Michael Barlow (30) were the stars for the Dockers against the Kangaroos in round eight this season.
2. The Dockers defence remains the best in the league, conceding only 68.1 points per game. Last week was just the second time they've conceded more than 100 points this season.
3. The sides meet for the 26th time and the Kangaroos hold the advantage, winning 15 games to 10. The Dockers have won four of the last six.
4. The Roos have now won their last six games, kicking an average score of 114 points to 69. All six wins have been against bottom-eight teams.
5. Fremantle has enjoyed playing at Etihad Stadium under Ross Lyon, winning nine of 11 games since 2012 and four of their last five.
6. Stephen Hill was the 10th-highest points scorer (23.1) in the Official AFL Player Ratings last round. He's No.47 overall – the fourth-highest Docker.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Todd Goldstein and Aaron Sandilands The competition's two best ruckmen will vie for supremacy in what looms as a critical match-up. Goldstein is ranked first for hit-outs this season with an average of 45 per game, while his counterpart Sandilands is ranked second with 43.6. Who will win the battle of the giants?
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by two points
