Fremantle Dockers v Western Bulldogs
Football : Australia : AFL Aussie Rules
Monday 25th April 2010 - Start 20:45 AEST
Venue : Paterson's Stadium, Perth

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This is a big match up for a place in the top 4. The Doggies travel west after their week off while the Dockers are looking to stamp their authority on home turf with another win. This will be a great Easter Monday clash and I do not expect too much in it.

Fremantle Dockers

The Dockers are 3 from 4 and if they can win these sorts of games that they have failed to in past years it will really signal their arrival on the big stage as the best interstate team.

In the Fremantle defence the names of Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield and Adam McPhee ring out as the guys who will need to be at their best to stop a very fast and sometimes unpredictable Bulldogs forward line. Last week they probably slackened off a bit against the Roos and allowed the score to increase a bit more than it should have. This week they cannot allow the Dogs even a sniff because it could spell a loss for the Dockers.

In the middle of the ground the Dockers have plenty of young guys willing to step up. Jay van Berlo and Nathan Fyfe are two players who have done this in the last 10-15 matches and now appear to have bright futures at the Dockers. Throw in the experience of David Mundy and Ryan Crowley and you have a midfield that can be physically imposing if required. Ruckman, Aaron Sandilands is also a player the Dogs will need to control as he is as fit as a midfielder and can do some serious damage when let free.

The Fremantle forward line is led by Matty Pavlich although he has been floating a bit lately and do not be surprised to see him go into the midfield every now and then for a stint. Hayden Ballantyne is a goal sneak who can come up with a bag of goals on any given day and is one for the Dogs to monitor, as will be Michael Johnson who is physically gifted and only recently found his way down into the forward line.

Western Bulldogs

The Dogs had a week off last weekend but before that were far from impressive against the Gold Coast Suns. This will be tough for them but a win here sees them stamp themselves as contenders.

The Western Bulldogs defence anchored by Brian Lake will need to be very close to their best because Fremantle are becoming a high scoring team, especially at home. Assistance will be required by Tom Williams and Dale Morris who are becoming more integral members of that backline.

The midfield is a place where the Dogs can win the game. Adam Cooney at the top of his game is second to none and if he can blow out the cobwebs he really gives the Dogs a strong chance. The next level of midfielders contains Justin Sherman and Matthew Boyd. Boyd is underrated and his relentlessness at the ball sees him as a crowd favourite amongst Dogs fans. Watch for him to have an impact.

Up forward the Dogs usually rely on Barry Hall to kick his 4-5 goals per week. However he is not the be all and end all like so many other teams. If Hall has a quiet day Jarrad Grant, Josh Hill or Daniel Giansiracusa can step up with a bag of goals, so it will be interesting to see how the Dogs versatility works for them in this one.

The Verdict

I think Freo come away with the win in this one. It might be tight but they should win it all the same.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Fremantle to win at 1.67 at Centrebet.