The numbers game

25.2 – David Mundy’s average tally of disposals against the Suns – his highest of any opponent.

31 – The amount of consecutive games Suns forward Tom Lynch has played. The next highest is Nick Malceski (28), who will miss this week through injury.

100 – Fremantle’s winning percentage at Carrara/Metricon Stadium. Port Adelaide and Adelaide are the only other sides to remain undefeated at the venue.

21,595 – The average attendance for matches between Fremantle and Gold Coast.

Metricon thrillers
Of the three times Fremantle and Gold Coast have met at Metricon Stadium, two matches have been decided in the final moments. On both occasions, the margin was seven points – first in 2012 when Tendai Mzungu kicked the winning goal with seconds to spare, and then again last year when Freo held off a fast-finishing Suns team. In the only other match played between the two sides on the Gold Coast, Freo cruised to victory by 44 points.

Taberner to lead the line
For the second time this season, Matthew Taberner will travel to Queensland as his team’s primary target inside 50, while Matthew Pavlich rests ahead of his 350th match next weekend. Taberner was dominant against Brisbane, amassing 17 possessions, eight marks and a career-high tally of five goals. He showed similar form against Port Adelaide last year when many of his senior teammates, including Pavlich, were rested ahead of the finals. Come Saturday, he’ll be hoping to make his mark once more.

Bright future for developing forwards: Pav

A test of depth
Both Fremantle and Gold Coast have felt the brunt of large injury lists in 2016. The Suns are missing fifteen players, including duel Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli, Dion Prestia, David Swallow, Matt Rosa and Nick Malceski. Meanwhile for Freo, Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow, Hayden Ballantyne, Harley Bennell, Michael Johnson and Aaron Sandilands are among 14 players recovering from injury. However, through adversity comes opportunity. Gold Coast have fielded 38 players – the most of any AFL side – while Freo have played 36.

The Suns’ bookends
Though their best 22 is significantly depleted, the Suns still boast an enviably talented list of key position players. Tall forward Lynch is currently third in the Coleman medal race with 51 goals, four shy of leader Josh Kennedy. By his side, 203cm big man Peter Wright has come on in leaps and bounds, notching 19 goals from 11 games in just his second season of AFL football. In the backline, Steven May has rarely been beaten in one-on-one contests, Rory Thompson looks solid, and Sam Day – who recently signed a contract extension – has been handy at both ends, but seems more comfortable against the opposition’s third tall forward.

Shane Yarran
Fremantle will unveil their third debutant of the season, when Yarran takes to the field on Saturday afternoon. The agile forward has struggled with injury since arriving at the club, but has since put his best foot forward in four consecutive outings for Peel. Ross Lyon has been impressed with Yarran's work rate, speed and skills, and expects him to play primarly inside attacking 50. The 27-year-old described his selection as an "honour" and a "dream come true", and will look to cement his spot in the team, with Hayden Ballantyne absent through injury.