The sandwich game in Saturday’s AFL Round 3 slate will see Fremantle play host to Richmond at Optus Stadium. The Dockers are coming off a huge win against the Demons and are expected to be competing for a top 4 spot this season, whereas the Tigers are still at the beginning of their rebuild. However, with Cyclone Narelle potentially looming, there is plenty of uncertainty regarding what to expect on Saturday.
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Dockers vs Tigers below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
Fremantle vs Richmond Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2026 Round 3
Dockers Stacked with Talent
The Dockers are coming off a massive win against the Demons and look poised to genuinely compete for a top four spot this season. Last week's win was a necessary bounce back after coughing up a big lead against the Cats in Round 1, driven by a tightened defensive structure and a forward line that is capitalising on their midfield dominance. The only real dampener for the home side is that star midfielder Hayden Young is still set to miss another three weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Steep Learning Curve for Young Tigers
On the other side of the fence, the Tigers are still very much at the beginning of a long rebuild and have endured a rough start to the year. They are coming off a heavy defeat against the undefeated Suns, which highlighted the current gap between their developing list and the top tier of the competition. Making matters worse is the loss of Toby Nankervis, who is set to spend up to two months on the sidelines with a hamstring issue of his own. His absence leaves Richmond severely thin in the ruck department, creating a massive headache against a well-drilled Fremantle outfit.
Severe Weather Impact
The biggest talking point heading into this clash is the weather. Cyclone Narelle is bearing down on the region, bringing with it a dire forecast for the weekend. At the time of writing, up to 60 millimetres of rain and damaging winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour are being predicted for Saturday. With these severe conditions potentially wreaking havoc at Optus Stadium, there is plenty of uncertainty regarding what the match will actually look like and how both teams will adapt to the elements.
What to Expect? Here’s Our Best Bet!
Given the extreme forecast, the total points market is the most logical angle to attack, making the tip here under 144.5 points. If the game goes ahead as scheduled and is played in a torrential downpour with huge winds, moving the ball cleanly will be nearly impossible. Scoring will dry up significantly in a heavily congested, scrappy slog, making it incredibly difficult for the combined total to surpass the 144.5 line.
Under 144.5 Points
$1.91 (1 Unit)
Fremantle vs Richmond Same Game Multi
Chris Scerri & Sam Switkowski Anytime Goal Scorers: Considering the severe weather expected to impact this game, the ball will be at ground level a lot so avoid backing in the key forwards. Scerri and Switkowski are two smalls for the Dockers who are good value to kick a goal here.
Sam Grlj 15+ Disposals: First year Tiger who had 19 touches in his first game before a quieter 13-disposal game last week. Plays in defence and will be around the ball a lot in this one considering the Dockers should dominate territory.
Same Game Odds: $5.00 at Dabble
Fremantle vs Richmond Match Info & Betting Odds
Date: Saturday 28th March
Time: 4:15pm AEDT
Location: Optus Stadium, Perth
Odds: Fremantle $1.02 vs Richmond $13
Line: Fremantle -48.5
Points: 144.5
Where to Watch Fremantle vs Richmond
You can watch the Dockers vs Tigers live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back in our 2026 AFL Tips at Dabble!
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