Many tipped Fremantle to be top eight this season. But 13 losses and just five wins including three from three heading into the Swans game - sees Mark Harvey's side fourth from bottom on 20 points, three wins adrift of Essendon. However, Freo will be buoyed by last week's emotional 33-point victory over cross-town rivals the Eagles; a match in which they farewelled veteran Shaun McManus, one of four recent retirees as the club looks ahead to 2009.
Recent form:
Round 14 Fremantle 13.13 (91) lost to Essendon 14.11 (95)
Round 15 Fremantle 6.8 (44) lost to Geelong 18.10 (118)
Round 16 Fremantle 16.18 (114) def Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Round 17 Fremantle 20.9 (129) def Port Adelaide 15.11 (101)
Round 18 Fremantle 17.14 (114) def West Coast 12.11 (83)
Last time out:
Sydney Swans 11.23 (89) def Fremantle 9.7 (61), round 14, 2007 at SCG
Both sides went into this game on 24 points with the Swans in tenth and Fremantle 11th. In a low-scoring first half, the Swans took a slender two point lead into the main break, but the home side's four goals to one third quarter laid the platform for the 28-point victory.
Spearhead Barry Hall with three goals, Nic Fosdike (26 possessions) and Adam Schneider (22) were the best for the home side. However, despite 34 scoring shots, the Swans only managed 11 goals.
For Freo, an even spread of goalsorers, with Shaun McManus, Jeff Farmer and Matthew Pavlich each bagging two.
A week after this loss, Fremantle coach Chris Connolly resigned.
The venue: SCG
The Swans have beaten Fremantle in their last eight visits to the SCG. Freo last won here in 1996. Overall, the Swans are 8-2 on this ground.
The coach: Mark Harvey
Now in his first full season as an AFL coach, Harvey moved to Freo in 2006 after eight years with Kevin Sheedy as assistant to Connolly. But with the club parting company with Connolly mid-way through 2007, Harvey got his chance for the final seven games of the season. His coaching record is 9-16.
Strengths:
Fremantle often relies on the brilliance of power forward Pavlich ("No Pav; No Freo" is one school of thought) with a direct, fast style of play. And it suits their star forward, with 63 goals for the season.
Towering 211cm Aaron Sandilands is an imposing ruckman and youngster Rhys Palmer is averaging almost 23 possessions a game in 2008. The improving Luke McPharlin is also contributing, with 20 goals and 106 marks this year.
Missing in action:
Ryley Dunn (back), Daniel Gilmore (migraines), Roger Hayden (hamstring) and Josh Head (knee) will all be tested this week. Brock O'Brien (hamstring) is due back next week and Luke Webster should return over the next two or three weeks. Out for the season are Andrew Foster (back), Robert Warnock (shoulder), Luke Pratt (shoulder) and Paul Haselby (knee).
On the retired list are Heath Black, Peter Bell, Matthew Carr and Shaun McManus.
The key: Pav and pace
Lack of pace has been an issue this season but with a number of retirements, younger Freo players such as Palmer, Clayton Hinkley, Garrick Ibotson, Byron Schammer, Kepler Bradley and Chris Mayne should inject more run and enthusiasm. And if the ball carriers can execute well, Pavlich should profit from it.
What's more, the Swans showed last week that their intensity can drop at times, and the Bulldogs made them pay in the second quarter. If Fremantle can remain consistent throughout the four quarters, keep up the pressure on the ball and get good numbers around the stoppages, they should be able to post a decent score.
The young gun: Byron Schammer
The 22-year-old from West Adelaide has plenty of run and did well last week with 24 disposals and four marks in the Western derby.
The questions:
Can the Swans hang on to fourth spot with North, St Kilda and Adelaide breathing down their necks?
After winning an emotions Western derby last week, will Freo have enough left in the tank after the long flight across?
Will Barry Hall, who showed promising signs last week in Canberra, give the Swans forward structure the lift it needs?
Did you know?
Despite being fourth bottom, Fremantle have had the fewest number of points scored against them (1736) of any team outside the eight.
