OVERVIEW

Ladder position: 13th

Won: 7

Lost: 12

Form: LWLLL

Average points for: 72

Average points against: 91

Leading goalkickers: Michael Walters (22), Cam McCarthy (16), David Mundy (16), Brennan Cox (16), Hayden Ballantyne (15)

AGE BREAKDOWN FOR SUNDAY (CARLTON IN BRACKETS)

Players aged 18-21: 8 (9)

Players aged 22-25: 10 (5)

Players aged 26-29: 1 (4)

Players aged 30+: 3 (4)

FORM

Since Carlton last met Fremantle, the latter has struggled to find the form which had it on the precipice of a finals position before the bye.

Sitting just one win outside of eighth position when they accounted for the Blues by 57 points, the Dockers have lost five of their last six games.

It sees them sitting in 13th position, and a return to finals out of the question with a 7-12 record.

INJURY WATCH

Andrew Brayshaw won’t play again this season after a broken jaw following last weekend’s incident with Andrew Gaff. 

The prized draftee joins defender Joel Hamling on the sidelines, as the premiership defender was a late out for Fremantle in the Western Derby. The Dockers said a calf injury will have him miss the next fortnight.

Also on the sidelines for Fremantle are captain Nat Fyfe (hamstring), Stephen Hill (quad), Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Connor Blakely (knee).

GAME STYLE

With Brandon Matera and Nathan Wilson brought into Fremantle at the end of last year, speed was a focus area for the Dockers heading into this season.

It’s seen them have a mandate to attempt to take the game on this year. The Dockers are ranked sixth in the competition for the handball-to-kick ratio.

Throughout the early stages of the year, Fremantle’s clearance game was crucial, off the back of Fyfe, David Mundy and Lachie Neale.

In their seven wins this year, the Dockers have won the clearance count on five of those occasions and drawn level in another one. 

THE QUERY

Since the bye, Fremantle has struggled to hit its best form after challenging for the top eight at the halfway point.

Coinciding with the injury of Nat Fyfe and some other key players, the Dockers have only won one game since returning from their Round 14 bye.

That win was at a rain-soaked Optus Stadium against Port Adelaide: it’s Fremantle’s only win at its home ground in the last four attempts.

Fyfe’s absence could open up an opportunity for Carlton’s on-ball brigade led by Patrick Cripps to gain an ascendancy in the midfield battle.

THE DANGERMEN

Carlton will be all too aware of the influence Lachie Neale can have on Sunday.

Neale hasn’t dropped below 30 disposals in his last four outings against the Blues. In three games between 2015 and 2017, he polled seven Brownlow votes.

He’s expected to poll in the match earlier this season as well, where he collected 33 disposals and kicked three goals in a complete midfield performance.

Michael Walters will also once again be one to watch. His average of 2.4 goals per game is his second-most against any opposition.

FINAL WORDS FROM THE OPPOSITION

After the disappointment of last week’s Western Derby result, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the weekend would be a case of both teams looking to respond.

“Carlton and Brendon Bolton have already spoken about contested ball and tackling pressure,” Lyon said.

“Forewarned is forearmed, so we know what’s coming. 

“What happened (with Andrew Brayshaw) could be a distraction if we let it be. We’ve got to let it fuel our desire to perform well.”