Where and when: MCG, Saturday June 22, 1.45pm AEST
What it means for Melbourne: The Demons have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks but have struggled to put together a four-quarter performance. A win will restore confidence ahead of the second half of the season.
What it means for Fremantle: It's a Fremantle side on the rise, having now won three in a row. While not the highest-scoring team, Saturday is a chance to put a good score on the board.
The stat: Fremantle has an excellent recent record against Melbourne, winning eight of its past 10 games dating back to round 16, 2012. Three of those 10 matches have been in Darwin, with another three – all Dockers wins – at the MCG.
The match-up: Michael Walters v Michael Hibberd
"Sonny" Walters (ranked 22 overall in the AFL Player Ratings) is in the form of his life, playing predominantly forward and coming off a six-goal haul. Hibberd's strongest games this year have come when tasked with a lockdown role, and none are currently bigger.
It’s a big week for: Jesse Hogan
Formerly Melbourne's next big hope, Hogan returned home to Perth during the off-season and will be facing his old side for the first time. After a slow start to the year, Hogan is starting to hit form, kicking five goals over the past two weeks.
Big call: Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones has found himself all over the park this year to varying levels of success but will kick three goals this weekend.
