HEAD TO HEAD: Brisbane Lions 11 wins, Fremantle 6 wins
LAST TIME: Fremantle 15.23 (113) d Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100), round seven, 2010 at Gabba
TV: Fox Sports live 7pm QLD/8pm AEDT. Channel 10 (WA) 5pm.
RADIO: Melbourne: 1116 SEN. Perth: 6PR, ABC720, NIRS. Brisbane: Triple M, ABC 936, NIRS. Darwin: NIRS. Regional: CrocMedia (AFL Live).
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
BETFAIR ODDS: Brisbane Lions $2.38. Fremantle $1.70
FORM - Brisbane Lions: LWLWL. Fremantle: LLWWL
SUMMARY
The Lions are coming back from a diabolical summer. Several senior players left via trades, Albert Proud and Brendan Fevola were axed under controversial circumstances and many are tipping a tough year ahead for Michael Voss' side.
But they will be keen to prove to the football world that they will not be pushovers this year and a home game against a team coming from the other side of the country is the perfect way to kick off the season.
But they will be keen to prove to the football world that they will not be pushovers this year and a home game against a team coming from the other side of the country is the perfect way to kick off the season.
Fremantle hasn't had an easy ride over summer either, with an alarmingly big injury list as they look to build on last year's finals finish.
Fremantle has plenty to prove as well and will be determined to make back-to-back finals campaigns for the first time in its history.
Aaron Sandilands and Matthew Pavlich are once again the most crucial players on Fremantle's list but it will be interesting to see how quickly Stephen Hill can join them as one of the genuine stars of the side.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Jonathan Brown have an impact?
The Lions skipper has missed the entire pre-season with knee problems and he comes into this game underdone.
But he says he is ready to go and no one will be keener to make a statement than Brown in the first game since Brendan Fevola's departure.
Will Fremantle be a force once again?
They made it to the second week of last year's finals but some critics will need to be convinced that Fremantle can do it again, especially after an injury-plagued pre-season.
Despite finishing in sixth position last season, few have tipped them to move much higher. A strong start to 2011 could force a re-think.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
