Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 7 AFL game between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 7:30 pm with Fremantle Dockers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Fremantle Dockers vs. Western Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday April 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Odds
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Preview
The Dockers have been hit hard since their fast start to 2024, losing their last three games, and they all of a sudden find themselves under the microscope.
The Dogs have become well known for their inconsistency, and whilst you can’t technically classify the Dogs as back in town with their win against the Saints, you can most likely say it with a big interstate win like this one.
The Dockers have been outplayed late in contests with their slow and defensive style of footy, taken out late by the Blues and Power, and steamrolled by the Eagles who expressed their freedom of style.
It’s a style of footy that isn’t sustainable for the Dockers and hasn’t proven premiership-successful for any sides in the past.
The Dogs were at their best last week, dominating the centre stoppages and control out of defensive 50, it all clicked with their movement inside 50.
The Dockers are second-last in the competition for contested possessions, and it would benefit them this week to switch their style up and bring some roughness around the contest to create turnover and flair moving forward.
The Dogs have been super-efficient on goal, capitalsiing on nearly one in three inside 50 entries, sitting them second in the competition.
The Dockers will hope to get some more run and drive from the likes of Hayden Young off half-back, who sat out stages of their derby last week.
A general offensive presence is desperately needed by the Dockers if they’re to sustain a presence at the top end this year.
The Dogs best will get it done, but they’re quite unpredictable.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Fremantle Dockers to win at $1.85 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Aaron Naughton at $9.50.
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs Teams
DOCKERS
B: J.Aish, A.Pearce – C, J.Draper
HB: H.Young, L.Ryan, J.Clark
C: H.Chapman, A.Brayshaw, J.Sharp
HF: J.O’Meara, L.Jackson, M.Frederick
F: M.Walters, J.Treacy, T.Emmett
FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong, N.Fyfe
I/C: P.Voss, C.Simpson, B.Walker, M.Johnson, B.Banfield
EMG: N.Erasmus, E.Hughes, S.Sturt
IN: H.Chapman, M.Frederick, P.Voss, C.Simpson
OUT: J.Amiss (Injured), N.Erasmus (Omitted), S.Sturt (Omitted), E.Hughes (Omitted)
BULLDOGS
B: E.Richards, L.Jones, B.Dale
HB: T.Duryea, B.Khamis, J.Johannisen
C: B.Williams, A.Treloar, J.Harmes
HF: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, R.West
F: S.Darcy, R.Lobb, C.Weightman
FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli – C, T.Liberatore
I/C: L.Bramble, H.Gallagher, R.Garcia, J.Macrae, J.O’Donnell
EMG: C.Daniel, C.Poulter, A.Keath
IN: T.Liberatore
OUT: R.Sanders (Omitted)