AFL Media's Travis King previews Carlton's clash with Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday:
SUMMARY
David Mundy breaking Richmond hearts again will be remembered as one of the highlights of the season, and his after-the-siren goal has kept Fremantle's push towards the top eight on track ahead of Sunday's clash with Carlton. The never-say-die Dockers have turned their season around in remarkable fashion with five wins from the past six games – three by less than a straight kick - to sit only percentage outside the finals spots. It promises to be another tight affair against the Blues, with Freo's attack ranked a lowly 16th and Carlton the competition's lowest-scoring side. Brendon Bolton's outfit have shown they are no pushovers, though, upsetting Sydney and Collingwood and taking it up to St Kilda in a spiteful contest last round. Carlton will also have a point to prove after being smashed by 90 points by Port Adelaide in the club's last interstate game in round five.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, May 21, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2016, Carlton 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Domain Stadium
R16, 2015, Fremantle 13.17 (95) d Carlton 8.5 (53) at Domain Stadium
R19, 2014, Fremantle 12.11 (83) d Carlton 11.12 (78) at Domain Stadium
R19, 2013, Fremantle 17.14 (116) d Carlton 12.8 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2012, Carlton 10.5 (65) d Fremantle 7.15 (57) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Fremantle and Carlton will meet for the 31st time and the Dockers hold the advantage winning 17 games to 13. Carlton snapped a three-game losing streak to Freo with an upset four-point victory at Domain Stadium last season.
2. The teams have played 18 times at Domain Stadium, with 11 wins to seven in Fremantle’s favour.
3. One of the reasons for the Dockers' resurgence has been the tightening of their defence. Freo conceded 260 points in the opening two rounds, and just 81 per game since to rank 10th overall. The Blues rank ninth, conceding an average of 90 points.
4. Fremantle could gain an advantage at clearances. The Dockers average 38 per game (AFL No.8) compared to the league-worst Blues' 32.8 per match.
5. No team has kicked the ball more this season than Carlton (averaging 229 per game), but the Blues are ranked last for handballs. Fremantle is 13th for kicks per game and 8th for handballs.
6. Carlton young gun Patrick Cripps continues to surge up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. The 22-year-old is averaging 26 disposals and has climbed up 13 spots to 31st overall since the end of last season.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Marc Murphy
The Blues skipper will probably be relieved just to get back out on the park after being caught in the middle of a sledging controversy against St Kilda, and Carlton will need Murphy at his best to combat Freo's star-studded engine room.
