ON PAPER this looks a significant mismatch. The Dockers are building towards another September campaign having climbed to fifth on the back of four consecutive wins over Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Adelaide and Richmond. The Lions produced stirring wins over Carlton and the Bulldogs but a 45-point loss to Greater Western Sydney at home last week was a serious reality check. The Lions have lost their last three matches against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium by an average of only 30 points, but they have twice been held to just six goals or fewer. It is hard to see how the Lions are going to kick a winning score against the best defence in the AFL.





WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Saturday June 21, 5.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2013, Fremantle 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 6.10 (46) at Patersons Stadium
R3, 2012, Fremantle 8.16 (64) d Brisbane Lions 5.5 (35) at Patersons Stadium
R14, 2011, Fremantle 12.16 (88) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) at Patersons Stadium
R1, 2011, Fremantle 13.16 (94) d Brisbane Lions 14.8 (92) at the Gabba
R7, 2010, Fremantle 15.23 (113) d Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100) at the Gabba

Want to watch the game LIVE? Click here for your free trial of AFL Live Pass

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Lions have really struggled at Patersons Stadium in recent seasons. They have lost their past four matches at the venue, with an average score of only 55 points compared to their opponent's 103.

2. The Dockers are the number one contested marking team in 2014, averaging 12.3 per game. Aaron Sandilands has taken more contested marks than any other player in the AFL with 27.

3. Fremantle has won its past five matches against the Lions. The Dockers' previous longest winning run against the Lions was just two games.

4. The Lions have struggled on the road this season. Despite two wins against St Kilda and the Bulldogs, they have an average losing margin of 75 points in their four losses and an average score of only 68 points per match.

5. No team has taken fewer marks inside 50 this season than the Lions. They are the only team in the AFL to have taken fewer than 100, with just 88. Fremantle by contrast is ranked ninth in the AFL with 135.

6. Despite the obvious gulf between the two teams, both sides have five players ranked in the top 90 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Fremantle has Nat Fyfe (21), Stephen Hill (22), Michael Johnson (41), David Mundy (45), and Matthew Pavlich (71). The Lions have Tom Rockliff (37), Pearce Hanley (52), Dayne Zorko (61), Jack Redden (63), and Daniel Rich (88).

Prediction: Fremantle by 40 points