SUMMARY
The Cats lost their fourth game last Thursday night in a disappointing display against West Coast in Perth. They also lost Scott Selwood and Nakia Cockatoo to hamstring injuries, but have Tom Hawkins (suspension) and Mark Blicavs (soreness) available to return this week. It was their first loss since round eight and they remain third on the ladder with a one-game buffer from Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond and West Coast. The Dockers are 11th and just had their bye. They last played the Brisbane Lions on June 10, which saw their third loss in a row. Aaron Sandilands, Ed Langdon and Hayden Ballantyne face fitness tests as the Dockers look to close the gap between their best and worst in the season's second half.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Sunday, June 25, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R1, 2017, Geelong 18.7 (115) d Fremantle 10.13 (73) at Domain Stadium
R17, 2016, Geelong 11.12 (78) d Fremantle 9.7 (61) at Domain Stadium
R2, 2015, Fremantle 15.14 (104) d Geelong 9.6 (60) at Simonds Stadium
R20, 2014, Geelong 12.9 (81) d Fremantle 11.13 (79) at Simonds Stadium
R9, 2014, Fremantle 13.18 (96) d Geelong 9.10 (64) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Cats will welcome back Tom Hawkins. He kicked three goals in their round one win at Domain Stadium along with Patrick Dangerfield, Steven Motlop and Lincoln McCarthy.
2. They haven't cleared 100 points since round nine, but the Cats still hold a significant advantage when it comes to scoring. They're ranked third with an average of 102 points, while the Dockers are 17th with 76.
3. However, in the Dockers' corner is their recent record at Simonds Stadium. They've won two of their last three games there, including a 44-point win in round two, 2015.
4. Tackling is another area in which there's a big difference between the sides. The Cats are ranked equal third with an average of 73.8 per game, while the Dockers are last with 59.8.
5. That showed in round one, with the Cats laying 27 more tackles in the 42-point win, as well as dominating in the clearances and inside 50s.
6. Fremantle's Connor Blakely continues to improve as he lines up against the best midfielders in the competition. He's risen from 407th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings to 289th since the start of the season.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR … Nat Fyfe
Ross Lyon said the Dockers' midfield was "obliterated" by the Lions two weeks ago, and while the Brownlow medallist tried hard, he only touched the ball 18 times. He'll need to emerge fresh from the bye and be ready to ignite his midfield if they're to be any chance against the Cats.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 39 points
