SUMMARY
With Fremantle Captain Nat Fyfe suspended for one week after his Tribunal challenge for striking Collingwood's Levi Greenwood failed, the Dockers are now facing an even tougher task to overcome Adelaide. There is still a cloud hanging over Freo's giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands after his concussion, but the Crows also have key players, including Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane and Mitch McGovern, on the sidelines. Adelaide desperately needs to claim the four points after sliding out of the top eight following losses in three of the past four matches, while the Dockers will want to produce a more competitive effort than in their 61-point loss to Collingwood to keep selling hope to fans.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, June 10, 2.40pm AWST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2017, Adelaide 20.23 (143) d Fremantle 6.7 (43) at Adelaide Oval
R21, 2016, Adelaide 21.16 (142) d Fremantle 11.4 (70) at Subiaco Oval
R6, 2016, Adelaide 14.13 (97) d Fremantle 8.16 (64) at Adelaide Oval
R9, 2015, Fremantle 10.8 (68) d Adelaide 7.15 (57) at Adelaide Oval
R12, 2014, Fremantle 12.18 (90) d Adelaide 7.8 (50) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide delivered Ross Lyon his first 100-point loss in his 250thgame as a senior coach last time the teams met. The Crows then kicked 11 goals to four in the second half. Rory Atkins was best on ground with 37 disposals.
2. Adelaide’s scoring power has taken a hit this year amid a raft of injuries. The Crows were the AFL's most damaging team in 2017 – averaging 107 points – but they're sixth this year with 88 points. Over the past three games that number has fallen to only 66 points.
3. The Crows have won the past three clashes between the sides, ending Freo's run of four straight wins. In the past two games, Adelaide has kicked a combined 41 goals to 17.
4. Without skipper Taylor Walker and Mitch McGovern for chunks of the season, the Crows have struggled to mark the ball inside 50, averaging 9.1 (AFL No.16). The Dockers are only marginally better, averaging 10.1 (14th).
5. The Dockers will hope home comforts help them keep the scoreboard ticking over. At Optus Stadium, they've averaged 89 points compared to just 54 in five losses interstate.
6. Fremantle veteran David Mundy continues to play at a high standard approaching his 33rdbirthday, averaging 22 disposals and booting 10 goals this year to climb 17 spots to 52ndoverall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Cam McCarthy. It wouldn't be the AFL's easiest gig being the main man inside Fremantle's forward 50 but the Dockers desperately need a lift from McCarthy, who has only kicked three goals in the past five games and didn't trouble the scorers against Collingwood.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 25 points
