SUMMARY
The game is a historic ‘away’ game for Fremantle due to Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium hosting the Commonwealth Games. The travel shouldn't be a problem for Gold Coast after winning their first two road contests against North Melbourne (in Cairns) and Carlton at Etihad Stadium. Whether that will be enough against a rejuvenated Freo is hard to tell after Fremantle comprehensively beat Essendon at their new home ground last weekend. The midfield depth that includes Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, David Mundy, Lachie Neale and youngster Connor Blakely is a real weapon. The Suns’ Tom Lynch is fresh off eight goals, the midfield led by Jarryd Lyons and 100-gamer David Swallow is working hard, and small forwards Nick Holman and Darcy Macpherson are providing relentless tackling pressure. Form is still hard to gauge at this time of the season, but after two consistent outings, Gold Coast have the momentum heading into this game.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Saturday, April 7, 2.35pm WST
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LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R20, 2017: Fremantle 12.18 (90) d Gold Coast 10.7 (67) at Subiaco Oval
R18, 2016: Gold Coast 16.9 (105) d Fremantle 12.9 (81) at Metricon Stadium
R2, 2016: Gold Coast 19.12 (126) d Fremantle 14.16 (100) at Subiaco Oval
R11, 2015: Fremantle 6.17 (53) d Gold Coast 7.4 (46) at Metricon Stadium
R2, 2014: Fremantle 12.15 (87) d Gold Coast 5.9 (39) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. When the teams last played in round 20 last year, Fremantle took 32 more marks, had 13 more scoring shots and laid 34 more tackles. Cam McCarthy booted four goals and Lachie Neale starred with 32 disposals and 10 tackles.
2. Gold Coast has preferred to dispose by foot in the first two rounds, averaging 258 kicks a game compared to just 119 handballs, ranking them 17th in the competition in the latter category.
3. This is the ninth meeting between the clubs, with the Dockers holding a 6-2 head-to-head advantage. Gold Coast have lost nine of 10 total games in Perth.
4. The Suns' tackling in the first two games has been outstanding. After being ranked last in 2017 with just 62 a game, they have jumped to 96.5 a game to top the League over the opening fortnight.
5. Fremantle reached the century last week against Essendon; the first time they've done so since round seven last season. They've averaged 83 points a game over the first two weeks, up from 73 a game in 2017.
6. Jarryd Lyons had a stunning 36 disposals, 14 clearances and a goal against Carlton last week. The monster game jumped the Gold Coast midfielder to a career-high 19th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR
Lachie Weller, who returns to WA to face his former club, where he played 47 games for Fremantle prior to joining the Suns. Fremantle's Luke Ryan will look to back up his impressive defensive performance agianst Gold Coast in round 20 of the 2017 season, where he took nine intercept marks on the way to earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
