Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 24 AFL game between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Fremantle Dockers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Fremantle Dockers vs. Western Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday September 3, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Odds
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Preview
You don’t have to go back far to find the last meeting between the Dockers and the Dogs.
Fremantle ran out 17-point winners at Marvel back in Round 21 thanks to a four-goal haul from Rory Lobb and some strong defensive efforts that saw the Dogs kick just two goals in the final term.
Luke Beveridge’s men have had to scrap and claw their way to a finals berth, beating Hawthorn in Launceston two weeks ago before finally earning a spot thanks to Carlton’s last-minute loss.
It’s largely been a disappointing season for last year’s Grand Final runner-ups, but nobody knows better than Bulldog fans that you just need to be in it to win it.
Freo, on the other hand, returns to finals for the first time since 2015 thanks in large part to third-year coach, Justin Longmuir.
Injuries and some inter-state troubles saw the Dockers fall just short of a top-four spot, but they’ve well and truly exceeded expectations after spending most of the year without dual Brownlow Medalist, Nat Fyfe.
The injured skipper looks a chance at returning this week from a hamstring issue, while there are also plenty of positives surrounding the status of Lobb and Matthew Taberner.
Of the four games, this one might be the toughest to get a read on.
The Dockers have played to an 8-4 record at Optus Stadium this year, but the Dogs have still been a dangerous side to try and defend ranking fifth in average goals.
Low-scoring games have become commonplace for Fremantle this year, largely due to the defensive structure Longmuir has implemented.
That said, these two sides combined for 172 points when they met last month, and it probably would have been more if both had kicked straight.
The Dogs have had their problems finding points recently, but a week off may have done them a world of good.
With both teams prone to a bad day here and there, the Over looks the best play.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Fremantle Dockers to win at $1.52 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Rory Lobb at $9.50.
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Teams
DOCKERS
B: J.Aish, B.Cox, J.Clark
HB: H.Young, A.Pearce, L.Ryan
C: M.Frederick, A.Brayshaw, B.Acres
HF: L.Schultz, S.Switkowski, H.Chapman
F: J.Amiss, R.Lobb, M.Walters
FOLL: S.Darcy, W.Brodie, C.Serong
I/C: G.Logue, D.Mundy, N.O?Driscoll, B.Walker
EMG: D.Tucker, B.Banfield, L.Meek, E.Hughes
IN: J.Amiss, R.Lobb, G.Logue
OUT: L.Meek, B.Banfield (both omitted), N.Fyfe (injured), D.Tucker (sub)
BULLDOGS
B: E.Richards, R.Gardner, Z.Cordy
HB: B.Williams, A.Keath, B.Dale
C: L.Hunter, J.Dunkley, J.Macrae
HF: A.Treloar, J.Ugle-Hagan, J.Johannisen
F: C.Weightman, A.Naughton, S.Darcy
FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli, B.Smith
I/C: L.Vandermeer, C.Daniel, T.McLean, R.Smith
EMG: S.Martin, J.Bruce, R.McComb, T.Duryea
IN: A.Keath, J.Johannisen, T.McLean
OUT: J.Bruce (omitted), T.Liberatore (injured), T.Duryea (personal reasons), R.McComb (sub)