The numbers game
12 – The amount of times Fremantle has defeated Geelong. Of these wins, five have come from the last seven encounters. Freo has also beaten Geelong five times under lights, and eight times at Subiaco Oval/Domain Stadium.
19 – Fremantle’s average winning margin against the Cats.
48.61 – Fremantle’s goal-kicking accuracy against Geelong.
80 – Fremantle’s average score against Geelong, the second lowest of any opponent. Only Hawthorn, against whom they average 74 points, restrict Freo more.
460 – The amount of days since Fremantle and Geelong last played for premiership points.
920,626 – The total crowd attendance for premiership matches between Fremantle and Geelong. When the two sides meet, an average of 27,077 spectators attend.
A growing rivalry
Since Ross Lyon was appointed coach, Fremantle and Geelong have had several fierce encounters. In Round One, 2012 – Lyon’s first match in charge of Freo - Hayden Ballantyne and Matthew Scarlett locked horns in a fiery exchange before Fremantle ran out four point winners, thanks to a late volleyed goal by skipper Matthew Pavlich. Later that season, Pavlich starred again with six majors as Freo defeated the much-fancied Cats in an Elimination Final. The following year, Lyon’s men outlasted the Cats in a see-sawing Qualifying Final at Kardinya Park, paving the way for an eventual maiden Grand Final appearance. Geelong got their revenge in 2014 when a missed set shot after the siren handed them a two-point victory. But the teams’ most recent outing was a one-way affair, as Fremantle cruised to a 44-point win at the Cattery.
Match day information
The output of Fremantle’s youth
Lyon this week flagged the preparation of Fremantle’s younger players as a point of concern when travelling interstate. The likes of Connor Blakely, Lachie Weller, Ed Langdon, Sam Collins and Darcy Tucker have so far played well at Domain Stadium, but will want to put their best foot forward come Friday night. The Cats have copped heavy criticism for underperforming against sides outside the top eight, and will be determined to prove the naysayers wrong on the national stage. If Fremantle are to outplay the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, skipper Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and Tom Hawkins, nothing short of a rounded team performance will suffice.
Selwood/Dangerfield
The preseason hype surrounding the AFL’s hottest midfield duo has, to date, lived up to expectation. Dangerfield comfortably leads the league for metres gained (624.5 per match), averages more than 31 possessions (second in the AFL), 16 contested possessions (second), 6.6 clearances (eighth) and 8.3 score involvements (fifth). By his side, Selwood is averaging close to 28 possessions (13th in the AFL) and 7.4 clearances (second in the AFL). The form of ruckman Zac Smith, who moved from the Gold Coast in the offseason, has also aided their partnership.
Blakley could tackle 'unique' beast
Stopping the Cats’ supply
Part of the reason behind Geelong’s heavy scoring is their ability to provide opportunities for their forwards. The Cats rank first in the league for inside 50s, with an average of 57. Of these entries, 16 result in marks – also a league-high – with Tom Hawkins (3.6 marks inside 50 per game) and Daniel Menzel (2.3) the major beneficiaries. Quelling the impact of Geelong’s star-studded midfield will go a long way towards restricting their score.
