SUMMARY
After suffering its first-ever loss to Greater Western Sydney last weekend, Adelaide is now faced with undoubtedly the toughest test in football: taking down Fremantle. The Dockers remain undefeated at the top of the table in scintillating form, while the Crows are struggling to keep their head above water amid an ever-growing list of injuries. They can't afford another slow start and their only chance is surely to ambush the league-leaders early at Adelaide Oval. On paper Fremantle looks set for certain victory, but can the home side defy the injury gods and score what would be one of its strongest wins in recent times?
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday May 30, 7.10pm
LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2014, Fremantle 12.18 (90) d Adelaide 7.8 (50) at Domain Stadium
R18, 2013, Fremantle 11.9 (75) d Adelaide 7.11 (53) at Domain Stadium
R10, 2013, Fremantle 10.6 (66) d Adelaide 8.11 (59) at AAMI Stadium
2SF, 2012, Adelaide 12.9 (81) d Fremantle 11.5 (71) at AAMI Stadium
R20, 2012, Adelaide 17.17 (119) d Fremantle 14.7 (91) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle remains the number one defensive side in 2015, conceding only 62.6 points a game. The highest score kicked against the Dockers so far this year was 14.4 (88) by the Western Bulldogs.
2. Fremantle dominated Adelaide the last time these sides met – particularly in disposals (443-297). The Dockers took more marks (115-62) and had more scoring shots (30-15), but took the ball inside 50 on one fewer occasion (50-51).
3. The Dockers are ranked second for disposals this season averaging 390.5 a game while the Crows are eighth with 370.1 a game. Fremantle is also ranked third for uncontested possessions.
4. The Dockers have taken the most contested marks in 2015 with a total of 105 at 13.1 a game; the Crows are 11th with 77 at 9.6.
5. Adelaide and Fremantle meet for the first time at Adelaide Oval; in total the teams have played 19 times in Adelaide with 14 wins to the Crows.
6. Fremantle gun Nat Fyfe continues to rise up through the ranks of the Official AFL Player Ratings and has surpassed both Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane. He sits third behind Gary Ablett (No. 2) and Scott Pendlebury (No. 1).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Whoever's playing on Fyfe.
The star Docker is in Brownlow Medal form and has shown on multiple occasions already this season he can end a side's day (or night) on his own. It'll take a team effort to even try and dent Fyfe's incredible influence.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 38 points
