OUT: Peter Ladhams (injured), Harry Cunningham (medi-sub)
Just the one change for the Swans with ruckman Hickey returning from illness and Ladhams going out after breaking his thumb. Cunningham remains out of the 22 but could be the medi-sub once again.
Dockers
IN: Blake Acres, Heath Chapman
OUT: Ethan Hughes (omitted), Liam Henry (medi-sub), Nathan Wilson (omitted)
Acres and Chapman return for Freo with Wilson and Hughes making way. Star defender Alex Pearce was racing the clock to be fit but just came up short and could be a big loss against a tall Sydney forward line.
Coming up against a talented Dogs’ midfield, Sydney’s engine room was superb with Luke Parker, Chad Warner and Callum Mills all leading the way, while Sam Reid was excellent in the ruck.
It was a rare four quarter performance from the Swans, but it showed this team is good enough to match it with anyone when they bring their best.
It doesn’t get much tougher than playing the Dockers on their home deck at the moment, so the Swans will need to repeat last week’s effort if they are any chance of causing an upset.
Fremantle Dockers 3rd – 123.8% | 1328 points for | 1073 points against | 12 wins 4 losses | WWLWW
Freo have been one of the big surprises of this year and are now right in the running to finish top two after a big win over the Saints last weekend.
Their turnaround has been on the back of their defensive efforts, with the Dockers ranked the second best defence in the AFL.
They also have an impressive crop of midfielders with Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Will Brodie leading the way, while Nat Fyfe looked dangerous playing forward last week.
With a home qualifying final up for grabs over the next six matches, Freo have plenty to play for at home against the Swans.
There have been a couple of close clashes over the last few years with the Dockers leading the count 3-2 over the last five encounters.
They split the season series last year with Freo winning a close one at home before the Swans dominated the clash later in the year on the Gold Coast.
Sydney have never beaten the Dockers at the new Optus Stadium with Freo winning all three matchups. Two of those were decided by under a kick, while the Swans managed just two goals in a shocking contest during the COVID impacted 2020 season.
Key players
Sydney – Tom Papley
After a delayed start to the season due to a hamstring injury, Papley has finally started to find some of his 2021 All-Australian form and was the best player on the field last week.
He had an incredible 17 score involvements (the most of any player in the AFL this season) from his 24 touches, including 5 goal assists. The only thing that let him down was his inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 2 goals and 5 behinds.
The Swans have gone pretty tall in their forward line this week with Buddy Franklin, Joel Amartey and Sam Reid, so if they can get the supply inside 50, there should be plenty of crumbs for Papley to feast on.
Tom Papley was sensational last week against the Bulldogs. Getty
Dockers – Andrew Brayshaw
Brayshaw had a breakout season last year, but he has improved again in 2022 and could well be in Brownlow Medal contention come the end of the season.
With superstar Nat Fyfe moving out of the midfield, Brayshaw is now a leader in there and has become everything you would want in a number 2 draft pick.
The 22-year-old star is averaging career highs in disposals (30.9 per game), tackles (6.4) and inside 50s (4.9), while also managing 7 goals and 8 goal assists.
It’s not just Brayshaw getting the job done in the Fremantle midfield, with the likes of Caleb Serong, Will Brodie and David Mundy all in stellar form.
Pre match predictions
Brownlow Brayshaw: Andrew Brayshaw to get amongst the Brownlow votes with 30 disposals and a one goal.
Paps snaps: Tom Papley to snap two goals from the pocket.
The match will be shown live on the Channel 7 network in the ACT and NSW from 7.30pm. It will be on Foxtel nationally and is also available to stream on Kayo.
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
