Fremantle aren’t going to have it easy when they go up against Carlton, looking for their sixth win in seven games.
The Dockers have had a very nice win-loss record in recent weeks, and after losing the first two games of the year they are 5-1 in the past six weeks.
However, three of those wins have come by less than a goal, and they could easily be 2-6 if fate had been a little less kind.
Last week was one of those – they nearly let the game slip against Richmond, before a goal after the siren from David Mundy saw them scrape through.
Carlton find themselves at a solid 3-5 record, not a finals contender, but definitely ahead of where most would have ranked them at this time of year.
They’re lacking in talent it’s fair to say, but not in application, and they have shown a good team ethic and impressive defensive ability that has allowed them to shock a few teams.
Both teams have made only a single change this week. Fremantle have Stephen Hill back in the side, with Darcy Tucker omitted.
Carlton on the other hand have recalled youngster David Cunningham, with Simon White dropped to make way.
Fremantle do feel like the kind of team that Carlton could pull a fast one on, especially if they happened to have the home ground advantage – but they do not.
A key thing to consider in this match is that this will be only the second time Carlton have played away from Melbourne this year. The other? A 90-point caning from Port Adelaide.
Young teams often feel a bit uncomfortable travelling interstate, and you’d think the Blues probably get well beaten here as a result.
$3.10 for Fremantle to win by 40+ is good value, that being the case.