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The Fremantle Dockers have sung the song for the first time in 2016, taking a 79-point win at home over the depleted Essendon Bombers.
Final score
Fremantle 20.6.126
Essendon 6.11.47
The bottom two sides battle it out at Domain Stadium on Saturday night when the Fremantle Dockers host the Essendon Bombers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
The winless Dockers start favourites in what must be a league first, a team with a 0-10 win-loss record starting at such short odds.
The Dockers form hasn’t been all bad though, they have been competitive the last month in matches against the Giants, Tigers and the Hawks. Last week against the Saints they led by 13 points at the last break before being overrun in the last quarter.
Stephen Hill was a welcome return from injury last week finishing with 26 possessions and a game high seven inside 50s. David Mundy returns this week to further strengthen the midfield.
The Bombers have been more competitive this season than most people thought they would. But they have been unable to play for a full four quarters.
Still they can be encouraged by the form of some of their youngsters. First year rookie Darcy Parish continued his good form last week finishing with 25 possessions and two goals.
As to did Zach Merrett who is averaging 27 disposals a game this season and ranks 11th in the league in tackles.
Not surprisingly these two teams are the lowest scoring in the league and both rank only above the Suns in inside 50s.
The Bombers suffered a blow at selection with the loss of Michael Hartley who pulled a hamstring last week. Hartley has been the Bomber’s best tall defender so far and his loss leaves them very small down back.
Possibly for that reason the Dockers bring back 200cm Michael Apeness for his third AFL game. He and Michael Taberner could cause the Bombers some problems.
For the Bombers Mitch Brown has had a good two weeks kicking six goals in that time and proving a mobile target. He and Joe Daniher will hold the key as to whether or not the Bombers can kick a winning score.
Prediction
Some believe this will be a battle for the No.1 draft pick and that both teams may tank but I think both teams will be determined to prove a point and break their losing streaks.
Dockers by 18 points.
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