Match Details

Melbourne v Fremantle
Saturday July 7, 7.10pm ACST (7.40pm AEST)
TIO Stadium, Darwin

Summary

After losing its past three matches, Melbourne will be looking to regain its early season momentum against Fremantle in Darwin this Saturday night. Only four points separate Melbourne from the 12th placed Essendon and a win will be essential in the race to the finals.

Much of the talk this week has been Melbourne’s defensive record – no other side in the top eight has conceded more points than the Demons. Coach Simon Goodwin has put this in focus and the team will be desperate to keep the Dockers quiet on the scoreboard.

Fremantle’s task will be made slightly more difficult with the influential Nat Fyfe and towering ruckman Aaron Sandilands ruled out with injury. The Dockers are coming off a disappointing loss to the Brisbane Lions in Perth.

Team news

Melbourne
The Demons have made four changes for the trip to Darwin, with Jeff Garlett, Billy Stretch, Charlie Spargo and Sam Frost returning to the side. Mitch Hannan, Harry Petty, Dom Tyson and Sam Weideman have been omitted and will play VFL this weekend.

Fremantle
Young ruckman Sean Darcy, Bradley Hill and Ethan Hughes are in for Fremantle. Darcy will partner with fellow tall Michael Apeness and will have the tough task of going up against a red-hot Max Gawn. Bradley Hill’s return comes at an opportune time, with his brother Stephen playing his 200th game.

Key match-ups

Jesse Hogan v Joel Hamling
After two goalless matches against Collingwood and Port Adelaide, Jesse Hogan got back into the swing of things with three goals against St Kilda in round 15. Hogan will likely be marked by tall-defender Joel Hamling, who has been a solid performer for the Dockers this season.

So far in 2018, Hamling and his defensive teammates have managed to keep key forwards like Ben Brown, Lance Franklin, Jeremy Cameron and Eagle Josh Kennedy to less than three goals each.

In the media

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on Fremantle
“The last time they didn’t have Sandilands and Fyfe, they beat Adelaide, so, we’re certainly not falling for that one. They’re a side that came off the bye last week and didn’t perform to the level that they would’ve liked, but they have improved over a period of time. We’re looking forward to the challenge this week.”

Fremantle 200-gamer Stephen Hill on Melbourne
“It’s going to be challenging conditions [in Darwin]. Melbourne’s probably struggled a little bit lately but they’ve been good for most of the year and it’s going to be a tough challenge in Darwin. We have got to make sure we compete and do a bit better than we did [against Brisbane].” – via fremantlefc.com.au.

2018 so far

Ladder position (as of publication date)
Melbourne: 7th (eight wins, six losses)
Fremantle: 13th (six wins, eight losses)

Last five matches
Melbourne: WWLLL
Fremantle: LLWWL

Scoring record
Melbourne: For – 216.163 (1459), Against – 171.147 (1173)
Fremantle: For – 151.143 (1049), Against – 178.162 (1230)

Did you know…

  • Max Gawn’s season tally of 659 hit outs is the second most by a Melbourne player in a year. At his current average of 47 hit outs per game, he’s still well on track to break his own Melbourne record of 928 set in 2016 and the VFL/AFL record of 1058 set by Kangaroo Todd Goldstein in 2015.
  • While the defence is a focus this week, Melbourne remain the number one attacking team in the league this season. The Demons are ranked first for points scored, inside 50s and marks inside 50s. Fremantle is ranked 14th for points scored, 15th for inside 50s and 14th for marks inside 50.

Melbourne Milestones

Clayton Oliver: 50 games
Neville Jetta: 50 consecutive games
James Harmes: 1000 career disposals (needs two more)
Christian Salem: 1000 career disposals (needs 15 more)

Head-to-head history

Total
Played: 36 games
Melbourne: 14 wins
Fremantle: 22 wins

At TIO Stadium
Played: 2 games
Melbourne: 1 win
Fremantle: 1 win

Past decade
Played: 13 games
Melbourne: 3 wins
Fremantle: 10 wins

Highest home and away season attendance
36,244: round 16, 2006 at Subiaco Oval

Biggest wins
Melbourne: 89 points (round 13, 2011 at the MCG)
St Kilda: 95 points (round 21, 2013 at the MCG)

Last time we met
Round 4, 2017: Melbourne 15.14 (104) def by Fremantle 16.10 (106) at the MCG

Match Day Hub

If you’re heading to TIO Stadium or watching the game at home, check out our Match Day Hub for all the key info.