The Draw

The most recent meeting between Fremantle and the Sydney Swans at the SCG ended up in a draw – the first in Freo history. The game could have gone either way. The Swans led comfortably halfway through the final term, but a Freo flurry tightened things up. Michael Johnson had the chance to win the game with a set-shot in the dying seconds. Even a point would have been enough for the win, but ‘Johnno’s’ attempt fell short and was marked on the line, unchallenged, by Sydney’s Sam Reid. Ross Lyon was left bemused at how his troops had not attempted to at least rush the ball through for what would have been the match-winning point.

WATCH: The last two minutes of the draw

Welcome back Nat

Freo will welcome back Nat Fyfe at a ground the midfield superstar has enjoyed a strong history at. He won a Rising Star nomination from his first appearance there in 2010, and has polled nine out of a possible 12 Brownlow Medal votes in four SCG games.

Fyfe to rekindle SCG love affair


Captain’s 150th

Matthew Pavlich has been on a milestone train in the past few seasons. He broke Shane Parker’s club games record in 2012 and kicked his 500th career goal last year. On Saturday, he will lead Fremantle out for the 150th time since taking over the captaincy from Peter Bell in 2007. If all goes according to plan, the club’s greatest ever player will play his 300th game in round 9 against Geelong at Patersons Stadium.

Pav set for captaincy milestone


‘Buddy’ at Sydney

The biggest free agent acquisition of the off-season has not fully hit his straps yet in red and white colours. Lance Franklin, who last played against Freo wearing brown and gold in the 2013 AFL Grand Final, has managed seven goals in four games, with four coming in the round 3 win over Adelaide. He escaped suspension for the game against Freo after he had been reported in Sydney’s loss to North Melbourne on Sunday, a game he was held goalless in. Luke McPharlin or Zac Dawson will get the job on ‘Buddy’ this Saturday when the teams resume battle.

Buddy free to play


Swans at 1-3

Sydney has managed just one win from the first month of competition, losing matches against GWS, Collingwood and the Kangaroos, all in Sydney. There’s one certainty ahead of Saturday’s game at the SCG – Ross Lyon will be preparing Freo for Sydney’s absolute best. The Swans may nothave the wins on the board, but their playing list is resilient and talented and won’t be held down for long.

Tippett back?

Sydney could be bolstered by the return of key forward/ruckman Kurt Tippett this weekend. Swans’ coach John Longmire said the former Adelaide star was likely to play football this week, but it remained to be seen if that will be at AFL level. It will be interesting to see how his partnership with Franklin works in Sydney’s forward line.