Sunday’s clash with the Adelaide Crows at Domain Stadium presents as the perfect opportunity for Freo to test their progress against one of the league’s best sides.
The third-placed Crows are only three per cent behind Sydney and one per cent ahead of the Giants. Given the ladder leading Hawks are one game clear of the pack with an inferior percentage, Adelaide can’t afford to rest on their laurels.
Match preview v Adelaide
The Numbers Game
6 – The amount of matches since Adelaide has scored 100 points or more against Fremantle. The Crows, who average 113 points per game in 2016, last achieved the feat in round 20, 2012.
9 – The number of goals Michael Walters has kicked in his last three matches against the Crows.
11.8 – The percentage of Fremantle’s total goals against Adelaide (405) that Matthew Pavlich has kicked (48).
14 – The number of games between the two teams at Subiaco Oval/Domain Stadium, of which Fremantle has won nine.
249 – The number of games Crows forward Eddie Betts has played, equal with ex-Fremantle and Melbourne star Jeff Farmer. The pair sit 10th on the all-time list of games played by an indigenous player.
34,848 – The average attendance for matches between Fremantle and Adelaide. Of Freo’s opponents, only clashes with West Coast attract bigger crowds.
Another challenge for Collins
Fremantle key defender Sam Collins was set the task of playing on Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy last week and conceded seven goals. After the match, senior coach Ross Lyon noted his eagerness for Collins to learn his caper against the best. The first-year player will be set another steep challenge on Sunday, marking one of either Crows' skipper Taylor Walker or towering forward Josh Jenkins. The pair has combined for 92 goals this season, but Collins is a renowned competitor. Round 21 will present another opportunity for the 22-year-old to bounce back.
Hit around the ball
Midfielder Tommy Sheridan praised Fremantle’s hardness at the contest in the first half of last week’s Carlton Draught Western Derby, while Lyon was also optimistic about his midfield’s attack on the ball. The Crows are renowned for their efficiency at stoppages and breakneck speed on the outside. If Freo can win the hard ball and nullify their opponents’ spread – as they did for much of the round six encounter – supply to the league’s most potent forward line will be limited.
Clarke to raise the bat
Pending team selection, Zac Clarke will become the 37th player to play 100 games for Fremantle. The 26-year-old has had his challenges with injury and form, most recently in 2015 when he suffered a knee setback ahead of the preseason. But, when on song, Clarke has impressive aerobic capacity and athleticism. With Aaron Sandilands back in the seniors, Clarke could return to his best.
Operation ‘Stop Eddie’
Despite competing with Walker (194cm) and Jenkins (199cm), the 172cm Eddie Betts still presents as one of Adelaide’s major focal points. The livewire forward has kicked 168 goals throughout the past three seasons, including 54 to date in 2016. Betts is strong overhead, fast on the lead and near unstoppable at ground level. Lee Spurr is likely to be tasked with stopping the 29-year-old, though it is not out of the realms of possibility that Ethan Hughes gets the nod to showcase his defensive ability.
