[VIDEO] Fremantle vs Carlton: AFL highlights, scores, blog

MATCH RESULT:

The Fremantle Dockers pulled of a remarkable last-gasp win against the Carlton Blues at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night, keeping their top four aspirations in check.

Trailing by one point entering the final minute of play, Fremantle snatched the lead back after a wayward clearing kick from Carlton ruckman Cameron Wood landed in the hands of Lachie Neal, gifting him a direct shot on goal to seal victory for the Dockers.

FINAL SCORE:
Fremantle 12.11 (83)
Carlton 11.12 (78)

MATCH PREVIEW:

The Fremantle Dockers will be looking to maintain its push for a top two spot when they take on Carlton Blues tonight at Patersons Stadium. Join The Roar for a live blog, commentary and scores from 8:10pm (AEST).

A win tonight against the Blues, by a large margin, would move Fremantle level on points with Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney at the top of the ladder.

Losses by all three teams over Round 19 would help Fremantle finish in the top two at the end of the season. First they have to get over a Carlton side who could prove to be a tricky opponent for the Dockers.

Not only are they in form in the last three weeks but they also have the wood over the Dockers in recent meetings. The Blues have won three of the last four matches at Patersons Stadium against Fremantle and have won two of the last three against the Dockers.

What isn’t helping them is the form of the Dockers at Patersons Stadium in 2014. In nine matches at home this year, Fremantle has won eight of them. Their Round 6 loss to North Melbourne is the only blip at home this year.

It promises to be a big match after the form of each team last week.

Carlton defied their position on the ladder by defeating North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Jarrad Waite played his best game of the season as he kicked four goals in the game. Lachie Henderson also kicked six goals in his best haul for the club.

Fremantle on the other hand were embarrassed by St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. In a battle of 2nd and 18th, it was the wooden spoon favourites who comprehensively defeated the team that was 2nd on the ladder.

They will be looking to bounce back this week against the Blues.

The axe has been swung with the Dockers making four changes for the clash. Aaron Sandilands, Garrick Ibbotson, Hayden Ballantyne and Stephen Hill return for the Dockers to add some needed strength and experience to the squad. Colin Sylvia, Jonathon Griffin, Anthony Morabito and Matthew Taberner have been omitted for the clash.

Carlton has also added experience to their squad with Andrew Carrazzo, Blaine Johnson and Brock McLean in the team for the Blues. Andrejs Everitt, Mitch Robinson and Troy Menzel are all out of the clash due to injury or suspension.

The battle for the win looks to be in the midfield and in stopping the tall forwards for each side. In the midfield it will be all about contested possessions. Fremantle are ranked fourth in the competition for contested possessions with Carlton ranked 16th.

Carlton needs to match Fremantle in this area if they are any chance of winning. They also need to run with the ball on the larger ground to hurt the Dockers on the scoreboard.

The battle of the forward line will be interesting as well. How Fremantle deal with Jarrad Waite and Lachie Henderson will be interesting in this match.

Zac Dawson and Luke McPharlin should line up on both players and preventing them from scoring will lean the match towards the Dockers.

How Carlton deal with Matthew Pavlich, Chris Mayne, Nat Fyfe and the returning Hayden Ballantyne will also be something to look out for.

They are almost at their best team in the forward line and the Blues will need to keep most of them quiet to cause the upset.

The inclusions to the Dockers team brings the match towards them.

The loss to St Kilda in Round 18 will also provide plenty of motivation for tonight’s match.

Prediction: Fremantle to bounce back with a 30 point win.