Presenting all you need to know about the Fremantle Dockers as Collingwood prepares to travel to Perth to play at Domain Stadium on Sunday evening.
How did they perform last week?
Fremantle will be vying for a strong response against the Magpies this week after succumbing to a 100-point thrashing at the hands of ladder leaders, the Adelaide Crows, in round 10.
In trying conditions at Adelaide Oval, the Crows piled on 20 goals to Fremantle’s six, with indigenous Crows Eddie Betts, Charlie Cameron and Wayne Milera kicking three goals a piece in a fitting tribute to Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round.
Docker’s captain Nat Fyfe recorded 25 disposals and one goal, but was toppled by opponent Rory Sloane who was best afield with his 30 disposals, 13 tackles and two-goal performance.
Fremantle midfielders Lachie Weller (30 disposals, two goals) and Connor Blakely (29 disposals, eight tackles) and defenders Joel Hamling (17 disposals, seven marks) and Lee Spurr (15 disposals, four marks) were the Dockers’ best performers.
What did their coach say?
After recording the first 100-point defeat in his 11 seasons as a senior coach, it’s safe to say Ross Lyon wasn’t pleased post-match when speaking to the media.
"I don't think too many would put their head on the pillow tonight and think I'm absolutely safe because it's a performance business, whether you're a coach or a player," Lyon said.
"We embarrassed ourselves as a coaching and playing group with what we delivered.
"They comprehensively obliterated us around the ball, around the stoppages and then we didn't defend that well when it went in and we didn't structure up very well to get it out.
"They're a very good team, but even by Crows' standards that was extreme."
Fremantle walk off Adelaide Oval in disappointment following their 100-point loss. Image: AFL Photos.
Who is injured?
Arguably Fremantle’s most important player – ruckman Aaron Sandilands – is no certainty to return against the Magpies this week after missing the Crows clash with hamstring tightness.
"I'm not sure if he's back next week or not," Lyon said of his champion player post-game.
If Sandilands was to return on Sunday, a battle against Collingwood’s in-form ruckman Brodie Grundy awaits him.
Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since the preseason. The Docker remains 3-4 weeks away from playing at the senior level. Harley Bennell is yet to play in a purple jumper after crossing from the Suns at the end of 2015, with the forward set to miss another five weeks with a calf injury.
Ed Langdon – brother of Collingwood’s Tom – was sorely missed in Fremantle’s midfield against the Crows, but may return to from a knee injury for Sunday’s clash against the Magpies.
Brodie Grundy and Aaron Sandilands battle it out during the JLT Community Series. Image: AFL Photos.
Who’s in the mix to play on Sunday?
After Saturday night’s disappointing performance, coach Ross Lyon hinted their may be several changes at the selection table this week.
"We need to reward people who have been underneath pushing away," he said.
Fremantle’s three emergencies from the game – including two of the club’s draftees - were all highlighted as potential inclusions by the coach.
Defender Luke Ryan and young ruckman Sean Darcy have “been very close” to playing according to Lyon, as has utility Tom Sheridan.
If Lyon decides to inject some youth via his debutants on Sunday, he’ll also have first-year defenders Griffin Logue and Brennan Cox to consider, both of whom have made an impression for the Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
