When and Where - Sunday 8 July, 2.40pm (WST) bounce down, Patersons Stadium
Perth Broadcast information
TV: Live from 2.30pm on Fox Footy / Delayed by 30 minutes at 3.00pm on Channel 7
Radio: Live from 2.30pm on 720 ABC and 882 6PR
For the full AFL national broadcast schedule, click here
Game day coverage
Club website: www.fremantlefc.com.au
Social Media: Twitter and Facebook - For gameday photos, score updates, statistics and analysis
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIVE TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF SUNDAY'S GAME
Form-line
Freo (13th) - W L W W L W W L L L W L L
Bulldogs (14th) - L L L W W L W W L L W L L
The selection table
Freo - Ross Lyon has indicated that Stephen Hill and Zac Dawson could be in line to return to the side this week. Anthony Morabito is also closing in on a return to AFL action. Lachie Neale is in doubt with an ankle injury, while youngster Hayden Crozier has a suspected case of glandular fever. Recruit Cam Sutcliffe has impressed in the WAFL, including a best-on-ground 34 disposals, eight marks and two goals on the weekend. The young South Australian will play AFL sooner rather than later if he keeps those numbers up.
Bulldogs - Defender Robert Murphy will miss with a hamstring injury, as will Dylan Addison, who has a fractured jaw. Youngsters Mitch Wallis, Ayce Cordy and Mark Austin should all return after being rested against Essendon. Bulldogs’ coach Brendan McCartney said star midfielder Ryan Griffen will play despite copping a knock to the calf on Saturday night.
Who’s hot
Freo - Nick Lower: Lower has made a fine return to AFL action following an injury and suspension enforced stint on the sidelines. He had 30 disposals in his first game back, and in Saturday’s game against Collingwood, he had 19 disposals and nine tackles.
Bulldogs - Matthew Boyd: The Dogs’ captain was just about a lone hand in the big loss to the Bombers on Saturday night. He had 34 possessions and a goal, and has been super consistent all season long.
X-Factor
Freo - Stephen Hill: Hill was listed as the x-factor in last week’s preview. Although he didn’t play, it was obvious that his pace, finishing and ability to command the opposition’s best tagger were missed. Hill’s return would complement the hard in-and-under work of Mick Barlow and Nick Lower nicely.
Bulldogs: Ryan Griffen: While Boyd is the heartbeat and grunt of the Dogs’ midfield, the class and finish is undoubtedly provided by the silky skills of Ryan Griffen. If the speedster has a big game, it will greatly boost his side’s chance of victory.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIVE TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF SUNDAY'S GAME
Key match-ups
Ryan Crowley v Matthew Boyd: This one looks an obvious match-up on Sunday. Boyd has played some huge games against Freo, including a 45-possession effort in round 5, 2011.
Stephen Hill v Ryan Griffen: If Hill lines up, the crowd will be treated to a brilliant display of speed and skill from these two talented footballers.
Matthew Pavlich v Brian Lake: Pavlich is one of the form forwards in the competition, leaving Lake with his hands full to contain the Freo skipper. Lake will hope the Dogs’ midfield can limit the amount of ball Pavlich sees.
Toyota AFL Dream Team
Freo - Matthew Pavlich: ‘Pav’ is in form, kicking 14 goals in his past three matches. He’s averaged 103 points over his past three against the Dogs and could be in for a big DT afternoon on Sunday.
Bulldogs: Matthew Boyd: It’s hard to go past the Bulldogs’ ball-magnet. He scored 162 and 155 in the two meetings between the sides last year and looms as a solid DT captain selection on Sunday.
Click here to see the match report and highlights package from the last match between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in round 24, 2011.
