Optus Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 20 AFL game between Fremantle Dockers and Melbourne Demons. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Melbourne Demons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Fremantle Dockers vs. Melbourne Demons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 29, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Fremantle Dockers vs Melbourne Demons Odds
Fremantle Dockers vs Melbourne Demons Preview
The Dockers find themselves in a familiar position heading into their rematch with Melbourne.
Fremantle famously knocked off the Dees back in Round 11 after losing convincingly to Collingwood a week earlier, and they’ll now follow a similar script following last week’s draw against Richmond.
Two points are better than none, but whether last week’s slip-up costs the Dockers a top four spot remains to be seen.
As for the reigning premiers, the Dees are also a slight chance at finishing outside the top four following a narrow loss to the Bulldogs last week on a last-second goal from Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Melbourne’s run home is treacherous with Collingwood, Carlton and the Lions to round things out, while Simon Goodwin also needs to address his side’s issues around the stoppages last week against the Dogs.
The third quarter saw the Dees undone in their previous meeting, but looking back at the stat sheet, it’s worth noting the Dockers won the clearance battle and the uncontested possession numbers by quite a clear margin.
The absence of skipper Nat Fyfe for the next week or two is a huge blow to Freo’s top-four chances, but on the plus side, they did beat the Dees without him at the ‘G earlier in the year.
Home-field advantage is also a huge plus this week, while there’s also some obvious issues down back at Melbourne after Steven May was involved in another on-field argument last week.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Demons to win at $1.73 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Bayley Fritsch at $9.00.
Fremantle Dockers vs Melbourne Demons Teams
DOCKERS
B: Chapman, Cox, Aish
HB: Young, Pearce, Ryan
C: Clark, Brayshaw, Acres
HF: Schultz, Lobb, Henry
F: Frederick, Taberner, Walters
FOLL: Darcy, Brodie, Serong
I/C: Logue, Colyer, Mundy, Walker
EMG: Banfield, Crowden, Meek, Wilson
IN: Lobb
OUT: Fyfe (injured), Banfield (omitted)
DEES
B: Lever, Petty, Sparrow
HB: Neal-Bullen, May, Hibberd
C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Langdon
HF: Salem, Pickett, Fritsch
F: Spargo, Weideman, Jackson
FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Viney
I/C: Melksham, Jordon, Rivers, Hunt
EMG: Tomlinson, van Rooyen, Dunstan, Chandler
IN: Lever, Hunt
OUT: Tomlinson (omitted), Harmes (injured), Bedford (managed)