Sunday afternoon football kicks off at the MCG as Fremantle travel east to take on Richmond. Can the Dockers make it back to back wins and keep their spot in the eight? Or will the Tigers pick up their second win of the year?
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2024 AFL Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Richmond vs Fremantle
Sunday 1:00pm AEST, 5th May, MCG
Fremantle ended a three game losing streak with a 24 point win over the Western Bulldogs at home, thanks to a gritty defensive performance in the third quarter, before kicking four goals to one in the last quarter. The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter with nine scoring shots, but only produced 2.7 thanks to some huge efforts from the Dockers defence.
The win was also built on a vintage performance from Nat Fyfe, with the two time Bronlow medalist recording 37 disposals, alongside young stars Caleb Serong who had 37 disposals and Andy Brayshaw who recorded 30 touches.
Fremantle will welcome back key forward Jye Amiss who returns from concussion, with Patrick Voss unlucky to be omitted after a solid performance on debut.
The Tigers were brave for a half in an ugly Anzac Day Eve clash, but conceded ten goals to two as they went down by 43 points. Richmond have lost six of their first seven games in what has been a horror start to 2024, even with low expectations coming into the season.
Richmond’s injury crisis somehow continues to get worse, with Jacob Hopper and Jack Graham both injuring their hamstring. Hopper had picked up 23 disposals before his injury in the third quarter, in what was his first game since Round 1 after suffering a knee injury.
Jayden Short comes back into the side after missing the clash against Melbourne with a calf injury, while Tyler Sonsie earns a recall after recording 32 disposals in the VFL last week.
Fremantle were able to find form on the improvement at stoppages, where they absolutely obliterated the Dogs. The Dockers were +17 at clearances led by Caleb Serong (17), Nat Fyfe (7) and Andy Brayshaw (7). Serong’s 17 clearances broke the record for the most clearances in a game for a Fremantle player.
The Dockers will be looking for their star midfield trio to continue their work in what is an area that Fremantle should gain a major advantage in this match. Fremantle are ranked second in the AFL for clearances, while Richmond are ranked dead last having only won the clearance count twice this season.
Match Prediction: A win will likely see the Dockers jump back into the eight, in what is simply a must win game for Fremantle to prove their credentials as a genuine finals contender. The Tigers simply don’t have the cattle to compete with the Dockers in the midfield, and their struggles through the midfield this season have hampered their ability to score.
Richmond are ranked 17th in the competition in points for, averaging just 69 points per game, because they’re having to try and transition from end to end to score, which has never been a strength for the Tigers. Richmond’s six losses this season have come by an average losing margin of 27 points, with their last two defeats coming by over 39 points.
Fremantle -11.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
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Caleb Serong 25+ Disposals: Serong has remarkably taken his game to another level in 2024, averaging 32 disposals per game. Serong is second in the competition for disposals, and has reached the 25+ disposal mark in all seven games this season. Serong is on a thirteen game streak of 25 or more disposals dating back to round 19 of last season.
Andrew Brayshaw 25+ Disposals: Although Serong has received the plaudits of the media, Andy Brayshaw is producing another excellent campaign. Brayshaw is averaging 27 disposals per game and has an excellent record against Richmond. Brayshaw’s last three performances against the Tigers have produced returns of 29, 28 and 39 disposals.
Hayden Young 25+ Disposals: After a slow start to the season, Hayden Young has begun to hit his stride. Since Round 3 Young has averaged 25 disposals per game, and is averaging 25 disposals per game across his last three games against the Tigers.
Josh Treacy 2+ Goals: The big Cohuna is putting together possibly the most underrated season in the competition at the moment, with fourteen goals from seven games. Treacy has kicked a goal in every game this season, and has kicked multiple goals in his last three games.
SGM Odds: $4.10 at BoomBet
