HEAD TO HEAD: Fremantle 7 wins, Geelong 19 wins
LAST TIME: Geelong 20.15 (135) d Fremantle 10.6 (66), second semi-final, 2010 at the MCG
TV: Fox Sports 1 - (Perth 5:30pm, Melbourne 8:30pm, Adelaide 8:00pm, Sydney/NSW 8:30pm, Brisbane/QLD 7:30pm); Network Ten - (Perth 6:30pm)
RADIO: 6PR, ABC720, 1116 SEN, K-Rock, ABC774
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
BETFAIR ODDS: Fremantle 1.74, Geelong 2.28
FORM: Fremantle: W Geelong: W
SUMMARY
After a crushing string of pre-season injuries, Fremantle finally received its ration of luck in round one.
The injury curse struck the Brisbane Lions in the second half at the Gabba and Mark Harvey's under-strength side was able to sneak home by two-points, launching the new season with a win when a loss had, at times, looked likely.
Key players David Mundy, Stephen Hill, Hayden Ballantyne and the impressive Nat Fyfe received much-needed game time, with defensive forward Matt de Boer (hamstring) available to return this week.
Fremantle's recent history against the Cats is mixed, with a thrilling round-three win at home last year followed at the other end of the season by a humbling finals exit at the MCG.
Geelong coach Chris Scott, who sat in the Fremantle coach's box for that loss, also received a dash of luck last week, with his side edging St Kilda by one-point at the MCG.
The dour Friday night clash turned into a thriller and midfielder Jimmy Bartel and defender Corey Enright, who played his 200th match, head west in top form.
Courageous onballer Joel Selwood remains in the selection frame despite requiring 14 stiches to his lip after a heavy clash with Saint Farren Ray, while captain Cameron Ling (hamstring) should return after racking up 38 possessions in the VFL.
Paul Chapman had 30 possessions for the Cats' VFL side and the 2009 premiership hero will play his 200th AFL match if he returns from a groin injury this week.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Geelong notch another victory in a significant milestone game? The Cats' successful recent era has coincided with 200th-match triumphs for Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Mooney, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens and, last Friday night, Enright.
What tactical edge can Scott gain with his inside knowledge of Fremantle? The Geelong coach spent three seasons as an assistant to Harvey, but the Freo coach says he knows what Scott knows and will adjust accordingly. This battle might just break even.
PREDICTION
Fremantle by 5 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
With his 30th birthday looming this year, Dream Team coaches have abandoned Corey Enright. The ultra-consistent Cat is in fewer than 30,000 teams, despite winning his third straight All Australian jumper last year. He notched an impressive 124 against St Kilda last week and has averaged 110 in his last five clashes against Fremantle.
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
