SUMMARY
In a bleak season for both teams, this match represents a rare chance for some joy. Fremantle's thumping win over Essendon last weekend lifted it off the bottom of the table on percentage, while the Lions' loss to Carlton, their seventh straight, kept them down in the basement with the Dockers and Bombers. Aside from a horror loss to Collingwood, the Lions have proved to be much stiffer opposition on their home deck, pushing high-flying North Melbourne, Sydney Swans and Hawthorn, along with beating the then undefeated Gold Coast. The Dockers still have plenty of class in their team with David Mundy, Lachie Neale, Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters, but the Lions' effort the past few weeks has been much improved and they should sneak a victory at home in a tight one.
The Lions need Daniel Rich to fire against the Dockers. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday, June 11, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2015, Fremantle 13.6 (84) d Brisbane Lions 7.6 (48) at Domain Stadium
R22, 2014, Fremantle 15.16 (106) d Brisbane Lions 6.12 (48) at the Gabba
R14, 2014, Fremantle 15.15 (105) d Brisbane Lions 3.4 (22) at Domain Stadium
R12, 2013, Fremantle 12.14 (86) d Brisbane Lions 6.10 (46) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2012, Fremantle 8.16 (54) d Brisbane Lions 5.5 (35) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The last time these teams played, Fremantle led by three points at the final change before storming home with seven goals to one in the last term. Michael Walters and Matthew Pavlich kicked seven majors between them.
2. No team handballs less than the Lions, ranked 18th with 148.6 a game. They’re also ranked last for kicks, uncontested possessions and marks.
3. Fremantle has dominated the Lions in recent seasons, winning the past eight matches. The Lions have been held to seven goals or less in each of the last five contests.
4. Last week against Essendon the Dockers kicked 20.6 (126), their highest score this season and their highest score against any opposition since round 17, 2014.
5. Fremantle will be looking for consecutive wins for the first time since rounds 18-19 in 2015. If the Lions lose again it will be their worst start to a season since 1991, when they were 1-11.
6. With his 42 disposals last week, Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale continued his climb up the Schick AFL Player Ratings, now up to a career-high 63rd overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Daniel Rich. The classy left-footed midfielder has had a patchy season and was down in the first half against Carlton last week. When moved forward in the second half, he kicked a couple of goals and sparked the Lions. When he goes well, so do the Lions, and they need him to fire against the Dockers.
PREDICTION: Brisbane Lions by 21 points
