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This evening the Fremantle Dockers host the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Patersons Stadium for an Anzac Day clash. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:40pm (AEST).
This is the first such Anzac Day meeting for the two clubs and while it is unlikely to attract the same attention as the traditional Collingwood vs Essendon blockbuster, it should be an entertaining match in its own right.
Both sides are coming off a loss. The Dockers fell short against Sydney last week, while the Kangaroos were comprehensively outplayed by Collingwood.
Both are proud clubs who will be desperate to bounce back, but history suggests the Dockers will have the upper hand.
North Melbourne haven’t managed to defeat a Ross Lyon side since 2009, before Brad Scott became the Kangaroo coach. They also haven’t won a game in the west since 2010, when they defeated a bottom-of-the-ladder West Coast in Round 21. It’s safe to say that North have their work cut out for them.
The Dockers have made two changes ahead of the match, with Hayden Ballantyne a forced out due to suspension, and Matt Taberner dropped. Hayden Crozier and Tom Sheridan come in as replacements.
North have swung the axe and made four changes. Daniel Wells and Scott Thompson are forced outs – Wells will miss with a foot injury, while Thompson has been suspended for a single match. Ben Jacobs and Daniel Currie have been dropped after poor form in last week’s loss.
North will debut key defender Joel Tippett, brother of Sydney’s Kurt, who will be a direct replacement for Thompson. Jack Ziebell returns from a shoulder injury, and the Roos have recalled Robin Nahas and also Majak Daw, who will play his first game for the year after kicking five goals in the VFL last week.
Prediction
Freo suffer from a lack of firepower this week, with Ballantyne added to a list of forward line players not available for selection. However, the Dockers good record against North in recent years – especially at home – makes them clear favourites. An upset is always on the cards.
Fremantle by 12 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:40pm (AEST).