Fremantle head to the nation’s capital with a chance to jump into the top four, when they take on GWS from 1:45pm!
Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview to kick off Saturday afternoon football, and be sure to check out BeforeYouBet’s AFL Tips page for previews for every game this weekend.
GWS vs Fremantle Betting Tips
Manuka Oval, Saturday 20th August, 1:45pm (AEST)
GWS
Injuries: Ryan Angwin, Jarrod Brander, Tanner Bruhn, Jack Buckley, Finn Callaghan, Brent Daniels, Phil Davis, Josh Fahey, Matt Flynn, Toby Greene, Connor Idun, Lachlan Keeffe, Braydon Preuss, Jacob Wehr
The Giants injury troubles have continued right through to the final round with Tanner Bruhn (concussion) and Lachie Keeffe (groin) ruled out for this week. James Peatling and Tim Taranto are expected to return from concussion issues, so it should be a straight swap across those four players to make up the 22 this week.
GWS put up a brave performance in a five point loss to the Western Bulldogs last week, where their commitment to their possession style saw them nearly steal a victory against a far more talented opposition. The Giants recorded a mammoth 165 marks, won the uncontested possession count by 53 and the disposal count by 49, against a Bulldogs side that had their season on the line.
GWS have recorded 309 marks over the last two games, ranking third in the AFL for marks this season. Fremantle aren’t a high scoring team, so there is an opportunity for the Giants to drag the Dockers into a slog like they did against the Bulldogs. If they can possess the ball off Fremantle for long periods of the game, they’re capable of causing an upset in this clash.
Fremantle
Injuries: Matt Taberner, Josh Treacy, Rory Lobb, Joel Hamling, Nathan Wilson
It’s been a big week on the selection front for Fremantle with Nat Fyfe returning to the side after injuring his hamstring in Round 19. Rory Lobb (shoulder/chest) is out, and with Matt Taberner (calf) and Josh Treacy (illness) unavailable, the Dockers have selected ruckman Lloyd Meek to play as a key forward.
A dominant second half which saw them register 15 scoring shots to West Coast’s 5, saw the Dockers pick up a 25 point win in the Western Derby last week. Fremantle were +68 for disposals, +25 for contested possessions, +13 for inside 50’s and +12 for clearances against the Eagles. Their inaccurate kicking at goal (9.17) was the only reason they didn’t blow West Coast out of the water.
With Melbourne and Brisbane playing each other on Friday, a Fremantle win and Collingwood loss on Sunday will see the Dockers finish inside the top four. The highest the Dockers can finish at the end of the weekend is third, with a top four finish guaranteeing them at least a home Semi Final which is crucial for their premiership aspirations.
Match Prediction
There’s a lot at stake for Fremantle and only pride on the line for GWS, and after two strong showings for the Giants, will they be able to get themselves up for this game? This game could have potentially been a blowout, but with the Dockers missing Taberner and Lobb this game will be closer than many expect.
Fremantle should get some heavy accesendancy in the midfield, which will allow them to win the territory battle and get the game on their terms. Fremantle have won two in a row against the Giants by 34 and 31 points respectively, and with the gap in talent between the two sides, the -13.5 line shouldn’t cause the Dockers too many issues.
Fremantle (-13.5)
$1.90 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
With the Dockers missing Taberner and Lobb, a low scoring encounter is likely in store. Four of Fremantle’s last five games have gone under 149 points, for an average total points per game of 133. Four of GWS’ last seven games have been under 149 total points, with an average total points per game of 138 points per game across those seven games.
Total Points Under 149.5, $1.88 with Ladbrokes
Will Brodie had a field day when these sides met in Round 4, picking up 37 disposals in a best on ground performance. With Andy Brayshaw likely to receive a tag from Harry Perryman, there should be plenty of opportunities for Brodie to rack up the footy and continue his excellent season where he’s averaged 27 disposals per game.
Will Brodie 30+ Disposals, $2.40 with Ladbrokes
Stephen Coniligo has been utterly dominant in the second half of the season. Coniglio has picked up 30+ disposals in six of his last nine games, and has averaged 28 disposals per game since the bye.
Stephen Coniglio 30+ Disposals, $2.55 with Ladbrokes
