Walyalup (Fremantle) will welcome back ruckman Sean Darcy from injury as coach Justin Longmuir reveals he has plans to target Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.
Longmuir confirmed Darcy would return from a calf injury that has sidelined him for the past two weeks, with forward Pat Voss to make way for the Doig medallist.
Fremantle Dockers vs Collingwood Predictions
These sides have identical records and one can jump into the eight. Despite a growing injury list, I’m back Collingwood to edge to victory in what should be a low scoring game.
- Fremantle Dockers vs Collingwood Predictions
- Head to Head
- Fremantle Dockers Form
- Fremantle Team News
- Collingwood Form
- Collingwood Team News
- Collingwood average 13.5 Centre Clearances per game, 3rd in the league
- Fremantle are 14th in Centre Clearances themselves but allow their opponents only 8.5 per game, the best number in the AFL
- The Pies Tackle at the 3rd highest rate of any team, averaging 65.3 per game
- The Dockers are the 2nd best defensive team for Points Scored allowing only 68.6 pts per game to their opposition
Head to Head
These teams have played once per year in the regular season since the beginning of 2019. Fremantle hold the advantage 3-2 in games won but it is Collingwood that have won most recently in both 2022 and 2023.
The Pies also won the most recent finals matchup between the two clubs in the 2022 Semi Final 79-59 at the MCG.
Fremantle Dockers Form
Fremantle, or Walyalup as they are known over the two weekends of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, bounced back well from their dismal display against the Swans in Round 10 to get a win over Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) last Saturday.
Despite dreadful accuracy in front of goal (9 goals, 18 behinds) the Dockers were able to hold off the Saints restricting their Marks Inside 50 to 5 and Efficiency Inside 50 to 33%.
Fremantle Team News
Sean Darcy will need to be monitored this week to see if his calf holds up to a full schedule of training. If he passes all the tests the big ruckman is expected to play.
Michael Frederick remains in concussion protocols and will miss this weekend’s clash.
Collingwood Form
Collingwood were able to hold on for a win against the Crows last weekend after their 30pt second quarter lead was erased by a fast finishing Adelaide outfit.
An Izak Rankine goal with 12 minutes remaining in the 4th put the Crows up by 2 points and it was De Goey’s 2nd goal of the game that would be the final score putting the Pies back up by 4.
Collingwood owned the Clearances in the game but committed 72 Turnovers in the win, 6 more than their season average.
Collingwood Team News
The injuries keep on coming for the Pies with Jordan De Goey now ruled out of Friday’s clash with an ab strain.
Will Hoskin-Elliot and Reef McInnes are also but there is a chance that Brody Mihocek and Beau McCreery return if they pass their fitness tests later in the week.
Verdict
A low scoring game is predicted and with Freo’s accuracy in front of goal a massive question mark, I’m backing Collingwood to get the win.