Round Three concludes with the Western Derby as Fremantle search for their opening win of the season, when they take on arch rival West Coast. Can the Dockers avoid an 0-3 start to the season? Or will the Eagles pile on the misery for Fremantle?
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AFL Round 3 Preview & Betting Tips
Fremantle vs West Coast
Sunday 5:20pm AEST, April 2nd, Optus Stadium
After a Semi Final appearance in 2022, Fremantle were expected to be amongst the mark in 2023. However it has been a horror start to the season, with defeats against St Kilda and North Melbourne, which has raised an abundance of questions about their method and list management.
Justin Longmuir has made a big statement at selection, dropping Will Brodie with Nathan O’Driscoll taking his place. Brodie averaged 26 disposals per game last season, but has had a quiet start to the season with returns of 20 and 17 disposals in the opening two games of the season.
The Eagles have kept the same starting 22 as last week, with substitute Elijah Hewett being omitted from the squad. West Coast are still without Nic Natinui and Elliott Yeo, with their ruck stocks looming as a major issue coming up against Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
West Coast picked up their first win of the season against a depleted GWS outfit at home last week, with a nineteen point win. After a disappointing performance against North Melbourne, the West Coast midfield bounced back with recording +21 disposals, +6 contested possessions and +4 clearances.
Fremantle’s controlled method with high possessions and slow ball movement has resulted in two dominant statistical performances, but has yielded zero wins. Over the first two weeks of the season the Dockers have recorded +57 uncontested possessions +55 marks +47 disposals and +19 inside 50’s. Despite this dominance, Fremantle have only kicked 17 goals, with their ball movement making life incredibly difficult for their forward line.
With Bailey Williams going in as the sole ruckman against Darcy and Jackson, Fremantle should gain clear ascendancy in the middle. If the Dockers can be more aggressive with their ball movement, the weight of numbers will be too much for the Eagles to defend.
After losing eleven games in a row to the Eagles, Fremantle have won the last three Western Derbies, by an average margin of 31 points. The Dockers have to respond after a horror start to the season, and a clash against West Coast provides the perfect platform to get their campaign back on track.
Fremantle -14.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
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Caleb Serong 25+ Disposals: In a tough fortnight for the Dockers, Caleb Serong has produced for his club, with performances of 29 and 31 disposals across the first two weeks of the season. Serong has risen to the occasion in the Western Derby, recording 25 and 31 disposals in his last two games against West Coast.
Luke Ryan 25+ Disposals: Luke Ryan has had a red hot start to 2023, averaging 33 disposals per game to open the season. Ryan has taken the most kick ins for the Dockers in each of their games this season, giving the experienced defender even more opportunities to rack up the footy.
Tim Kelly 25+ Disposals: West Coast needed an experienced player to stand up after their Round One defeat, and that man was Tim Kelly. The former Cat picked up 32 disposals as he led the Eagles to victory, and recorded 42 disposals the last time he played a full game against Fremantle.
Lachie Schultz Anytime Goal Scorer: Although Fremantle have struggled to score this season, it hasn’t been at any fault of Lachie Schultz. Schultz has kicked three goals this season, and has loved playing against West Coast, kicking five goals from his last three games against the Eagles.
Same Game Multi odds - $4.75
