Fremantle Dockers vs Gold Coast Suns Verdict
Fremantle are on a 13-match winning streak and I don't see that coming to an end facing a Suns side which has lost four in a row. A win by more than 24 points is the best bet for the Dockers.
- Gold Coast have won just one of six outside of Queensland and the Northern Territory this season.
- The Suns’ past five matches against sides in the top six have resulted in losses by an average of 35 points.
- The Fremantle Dockers are averaging 113 points over the last five rounds, while Gold Coast are averaging 87.
- Noah Anderson comes off 43 disposals and has had 30+ in each of his past two against the Dockers.
Head to Head Stats
Gold Coast defeated Fremantle by a point in the Elimination Final last season, with that match played at Perth Stadium. The Dockers took out the three prior matches against the Suns.
Fremantle Dockers Form - Flying Free Run Continues
Fremantle are the pacesetters of the competition, sitting on top of the ladder with a 13-1 win-loss record. Their loss came back in Round 1 and they will be out to make it 14 on the trot.
They come off a nine-point win over Geelong, wearing the Cats down in the second half with eight goals to five in a margin that could have been more were it not for some inaccuracy in the 14.15.99 to 14.6.90 scoreline.
What makes Fremantle so dangerous is their balance across the ground. Their midfield runs deep, with Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young, Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson all capable of taking control at different stages of a match.
The Dockers do not rely on one or two players to carry the load, allowing them to maintain pressure and intensity for four quarters.
Their forward line has become one of the competition's most potent weapons. Josh Treacy has kicked 21 goals in his past seven matches, Patrick Voss has booted 18 in his past five, while Jye Amiss has slotted 18 in his past five.
Gold Coast Suns Form - Suns In A Slump
Gold Coast come in with a 7-7 record and have dropped their past four, with those losses coming against Geelong, Brisbane, North Melbourne and Hawthorn last weekend, when they went down by 16 points.
The Suns have a poor record against sides above them on the ladder, with one win from six, and have won just one of six outside of Queensland and the Northern Territory this season.
They were badly beaten at centre clearances last weekend but generated more inside 50s than the Hawks. However, they scored just 34% of the time when entering and were unable to connect effectively or convert their chances.
Ben Long booted four goals, while Noah Anderson (43 disposals), Joel Jeffrey (34) and Christian Petracca (31) found plenty of the footy. Anderson has had 30+ in four of his past six, while he had 29 in another, and John Noble has also found plenty of the ball in five of his past seven.
Fremantle Dockers Team News
Fremantle are nearly at full strength, with Sam Sturt one of the few players with fitness doubts in their entire squad. Bailey Banfield, Jaeger O’Meara, Sean Darcy and Jeremy Sharp are among those in the Dockers’ WAFL side trying to force their way back in.
Gold Coast Suns Team News
Daniel Rioli will be out of action with a broken jaw. Will Powell is edging closer to a return, while Ben Jepson has some solid form in the VFL and will be considered.