FREMANTLE has hit top gear, its seven-point derby win over West Coast extending the Dockers' winning streak to six straight games. The good news is the successful run doesn't look like ending anytime soon, either. Melbourne's slow starts have been costly and the trend hurt again in last week's narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs. The Demons can't afford that against the Dockers, or else they might be blown out of the water. Fremantle's wide spread of midfield talent should prove too much for the still developing Dees to handle.



WHERE AND WHEN: TIO Stadium, July 5, 7.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide 

LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2013, Fremantle 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 5.8 (38) at MCG
R9, 2013, Fremantle 19.16 (130) d Melbourne 6.4 (40) at Patersons Stadium
R23, 2012, Fremantle 14.17 (101) d Melbourne 5.10 (40) at Patersons Stadium
R16, 2012, Fremantle 18.9 (117) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2011, Melbourne 22.17 (149) d Fremantle 8.12 (60) at MCG

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THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle has had a recent stranglehold over Melbourne, having won 10 of the past 14 games between the sides. The Dockers have also won the last four against the Demons.

2. The Dockers are the best-performed contested marking team in the competition in 2014, averaging 11.5 per game. The Demons aren't far behind, ranked sixth with 10.4 a game.

3. Melbourne will need to limit the impact of Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands. The Dockers ruckman is ranked second in the League for average hit-outs with 40.2 a game.

4. Fremantle is consistently giving its forwards a chance to score. That's thanks largely to having the two best inside 50 players in the competition. Danyle Pearce has had a total of 80 inside 50s, ahead of Stephen Hill's 74.

5. This will be Melbourne's fifth home game at TIO Stadium. The Demons have a 2-2 win/loss ratio at the venue, but have dropped their past two games.

6. Recently re-signed Docker David Mundy is Fremantle’s best performer in the Official AFL Player Ratings against Melbourne, averaging 14.6 player ratings points. Melbourne defender Colin Garland (21st of small-medium defenders) has dropped 49 places this season – the biggest drop at the club. 

Prediction: Fremantle by 35 points