Fremantle head east to face Melbourne at the MGC on Saturday afternoon.
While Freo are buoyant after toppling the reigning premiers, the Demons are licking their wounds after dropping their first game of 2017 against Geelong.
Backing up a strong performance
The young Dockers surprised the AFL with their run and intensity after a lacklustre opening two rounds. Freo had nothing to lose against the Bulldogs, but defender Joel Hamling says the pressure is now on to back up their performance.
“For myself and the team, we’ve set ourselves a high standard now,” Hamling said.
“It’s good to build week in and week out. Our pressure was good around the ball and we’re going to go from there”
Melbourne undermanned
This week, the Demons will be without Max Gawn (hamstring) on top of the already suspended Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis - but senior coach Ross Lyon isn’t buying into the idea that Fremantle’s task will be any easier.
“If anything, it will galvanise the side and keep them focused on the job at hand,” Lyon said.
“So I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking.”
The short game
The Demons have been playing a style of “keepy-off” by controlling possession with short kicking – averaging 20 more per game than any other side in the AFL.
As a result, Melbourne also lead the AFL in disposals, uncontested marks and effective kicks - but have made the third fewest long kicks.
Defender Christian Salem leads the Dees averaging 11 short kicks per game, backed up by Bernie Vince who is averaging 8.5 per game.
Efficiency
With short kicking a focus, Melbourne boast the fourth highest disposal efficiency in the league at 74.8 per cent. While Fremantle have been criticised for their turnovers in the opening two rounds, they sit second in the league for disposal efficiency at 76.5 per cent.
Melbourne have the third most clanger kicks so far this season with an average of 25 per game, while Fremantle have the third fewest with 17.3 per game.
Turning it around
Despite giving away the third fewest number of turnovers this season, Fremantle sit sixth in the league for points conceded on a turnover. In round three, Fremantle conceded just 42 points on turnovers against the Bulldogs after averaging 78.5 points in the opening two rounds.
