AFL TIPS: Fremantle v Gold Coast

Saturday, September 6 – 7.35 PM AEST – Venue: Optus Stadium

The Dockers played one of their best games of the year to earn a place in the 8 and a home final after the Suns butchered their chance to finish in the top 4 and get a double chance with a shock loss to Port Adelaie in round 24. It’s also concerning that the week prior the Suns got smashed by six goals at home by the Giants and their midfield still got plenty of the ball. In that game the skipper Noah Anderson had 32 disposals, Matt Rowell 25 disposals and Touk Miller 28 disposals and yet they got smacked by six goals at home. Against Port those same players had an average of 25 disposals which goes some way to explaining why they lost that game too.

These three need to not only get the ball but they need to use it well to ensure they provide Ben King, Bailey Humphrey, Ben Long and Ben Ainsworth the opportunities to kick a winning score. King finished second in the Coleman Medal on 62 goals for the year behind Jeremy Cameron on 83. Daniel Rioli and Bailey Humphrey will be better after getting a full game of match play last Wednesday night against the Bombers.

David Swallow has a case as the sub given his service to the club since 2010 in this his final year before retiring. He is held in high regard, but will Dimma go with sentiment or want to keep more pace in the side. The Suns have travelled well this year, other than the Port game.

After such a brave win to secure their finals berth against the Bulldogs, Fremantle wont be looking to make too many changes, but they have plenty of depth and therefore options to consider. Corey Wagner’s pectoral injury means there will be at least one change. Small forward Sam Switkowski copped a knock to his knee and is sore, with the Dockers hopeful the important speedster will be OK after a week off. 

Replacement options include winger Nathan O’Driscoll who responded to his omission last week by starring for Peel Thunder in the WAFL with 25 disposals and three goals. Fellow midfielder Matthew Johnson was also impressive after recovering from an ankle injury, finishing with 20 disposals in managed game time. Half-back Cooper Simpson and winger Jeremy Sharp are others who could step up at AFL level if needed, while emergency Brandon Walker could also be considered.

The key Freo trio inside 50 – Pat Voss, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss – kicked three each to expose the Bulldogs’ weakness in defence. Amiss got them going, but it was the aggression and presence of Voss and Treacy that kept them going. Frederick, Bolton and Jackson kicked 2 each which is a good spread of goal kickers with the smalls providing plenty of pressure on the Dogs defence.

Star midfielder Hayden Young was quiet with 16 disposals but will be better third game in after a week off. He and Andrew Brayshaw who has dropped from the 11^th best player in the comp after 18 rounds to 182^nd now, both need to lift if the Dockers are to win. Caleb Serong and first year player and likely Rising Star winner Murphy Reid are in excellent form along with the captain Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan down back. Expect a big game from Luke Jackson and plenty of aggression from Patrick Voss.    

Whos is going to bring their ‘A’ game. That is the question. Dockers at home.  

Dockers by 19 points

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