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The Fremantle Dockers host the Essendon Bombers in the final match of the round, facing off at twilight at Patersons Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST).
Both sides have had their ups and down so far this year. The Dockers were dominant in the first two rounds, easily doing away with Collingwood and Gold Coast, but after losing Nathan Fyfe to suspension and Michael Barlow to injury, they were overrun by the Hawks in the grand final rematch last week.
The Bombers have also suffered at the hands of Hawthorn, with a 3-point defeat in Round 2 the only blemish on a season which has so far included a big win over North Melbourne and a thrashing of Carlton last week.
The Dockers have made five changes from the side that lost to the Hawks, three of them forced. Garrick Ibbotson is set to spend more than a month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in his return game from the Achilles issue that saw him miss the 2013 finals series – he can’t catch a break. Chris Mayne and Michael Walters will both miss with ankle issues. Mayne should pull up soon but there are worries Walters might miss the rest of the year. Tom Sheridan and Jack Hannath have been omitted.
Excitingly for Dockers fans, Zac Clarke will return from a pre-season injury to play his first game of the year, offering Aaron Sandilands a chop-out in the ruck and providing another tall target up forward. Zac Dawson returns from his one-week suspension. Clancee Pearce and Matt Taberner have been recalled, and Josh Simpson will play just the second game of his career.
The Bombers on the other hand are going in unchanged from the team that so effectively dismantled Carlton last Sunday night. This means they again enter the game without a recognised ruckman, but will be able to count on the influence of Paul Chapman and Dustin Fletcher, who were both in doubt earlier in the week.
With Nathan Fyfe and Michael Barlow still sitting on the sidelines, the Dockers have their work cut out for them against a Bombers side who have been very impressive so far in 2014. Add to this the removal of Ibbotson, Mayne and Walters and the Dockers are in serious trouble.
Also keep in mind that, despite his many accomplishments, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has a poor record against the red and black – he hasn’t coached a team to a win over them since 2009.
Prediction
Most days I would tip the Dockers to get the win, but given the absence of Fyfe and Barlow among others, the Dons have the edge. The biggest concern for the Bombers is how they will fare against Aaron Sandilands, who should dominate the Jake Carlisle/Joe Daniher combo. However, this alone is not enough to put the Dockers ahead in my book.
Essendon by 12 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST).