SUMMARY
There is ghoulish appeal in Saturday night's battle for the wooden spoon at Domain Stadium, with Fremantle in a position to get off the bottom of the ladder with a win. The Dockers are winless and coming off an eight goals to none smacking in the fourth quarter against St Kilda. They continue to be let down by their disposal efficiency, particularly going inside 50, with former skipper Matthew Pavlich struggling to get into games. The Bombers' only win came back in round two, and they will be heavy underdogs on the road. They continue to play with spirit, however, under John Worsfold and are taking positives out of each match. The form of draftee Darcy Parish (25 possessions and two goals) was the brightest light in last week's 38-point Dreamtime at the 'G loss to Richmond.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Saturday, June 4, 5.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2015, Fremantle 12.8 (80) d Essendon 7.10 (52) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2014, Fremantle 18.5 (113) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2013, Essendon 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Domain Stadium
R13, 2012, Essendon 17.11 (113) d Fremantle 14.5 (89) at Domain Stadium
R12, 2011, Fremantle 15.8 (98) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these teams last met, the Dockers had 12 goals to three on the board before the Bombers fought back in the final term. Lachie Neale had 33 disposals, kicked one goal and later picked up the three Brownlow votes.
2. This will be a contest between the two lowest scoring sides in 2016. They are also ranked 16th and 17th for inside 50s and last and second last for marks inside 50.
3. Fremantle and Essendon meet for the 30th time and the Bombers still hold the advantage, winning 18 games to 11 despite the Dockers winning five of the last seven.
4. One area the Bombers have been strong in is uncontested possessions. They rank No.2 (268.7 a game) while the Dockers are 17th (208.2 a game).
5. The Bombers have lost their last three games at Domain Stadium and their last nine games interstate. Their last win outside of Victoria was in Adelaide late in 2014.
6. Essendon key position player Mitch Brown is on a steady climb up the Schick AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Schick. The former Cat has jumped from No.583 at the end of last season to No.503.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …Ross Lyon. The last time Fremantle lost 11 consecutive matches in a season, Damian Drum was coach. The Dockers dropped the opening 17 games of 2001, with Drum replaced after the ninth. Lyon is in a different ballpark, with the security of a five-year deal and the club's backing to look to the future for the rest of the year. But losing to the 17th-placed Bombers at home would be a new low-point in this "annus horribilis".
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 12 points
