The third of Sunday AFL Round 4 matches is between Fremantle Dockers and Essendon Bombers. The game is set to commence at 16.40pm local time with the game to be played at Patersons Stadium. Away team Essendon Bombers go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Fremantle Dockers and Essendon Bombers.

Round: Round 4, Sunday March 13, 16.40pm
Stadium: Patersons Stadium
Weather: – 32° Sunny.

Featured Bookmakers:

Odds Comparison:

Fremantle Dockers	2.35	2.00	2.00	2.00	1.92	1.85
Essendon Bombers	1.61	1.82	1.83	1.82	1.92	1.95

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips: Fremantle Dockers to win.

Preview:

FREMANTLE face another tough test this week on the back of a 58-point loss to Hawthorn. Essendon travel west in red-hot form and full of confidence after crushing Carlton. The Bombers beat the Dockers in round three at Patersons Stadium last year when the coach and the club were under enormous pressure. This year they travel with a new, experienced coach and the pressure off. They would also be comfortable in the knowledge that the Dockers have not beaten them under Ross Lyon. The Dockers are without Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow and their absence will hurt against the Essendon midfield that is the equal best in centre clearances per match (16) in season 2014.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2013, Essendon 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Patersons Stadium
R13, 2012, Essendon 17.11 (113) d Fremantle 14.5 (89) at Patersons Stadium
R12, 2011, Fremantle 15.8 (98) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Patersons Stadium
R2, 2010, Fremantle 17.11 (113) d Essendon 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2009, Fremantle 21.15 (141) d Essendon 13.9 (87) at Patersons Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon defeated Fremantle the last time the two sides met at Patersons Stadium. The Bombers won a thriller by four points despite kicking just one goal in the first half and trailing at half-time by six goals.

2. The Bombers have won the last two contests between the sides but since late 2009 the Dockers hold a narrow advantage with three wins to two.

3. Fremantle is the number one ranked side for inside 50s in 2014 averaging 58.3 per game. Essendon is ranked third with 55.3.

4. The Bombers have had the most disposals in the competition in 2014 averaging 435 per game. They are also number one for uncontested possessions with 299 per game.

5. Fremantle continues to be difficult to beat at home. Since the beginning of 2012 the Dockers have won 21 of 26 Patersons Stadium matches, conceding an average score against of just 63 points per game.

6. The Dockers have the best defence in the AFL but their highest rated defender on the Official AFL Player Ratings is Michael Johnson (71). The highest ranked Essendon defender is Michael Hibberd (99).

Teams:

Fremantle Dockers:
B Zac Dawson, Luke McPharlin, Lee Spurr
HB Danyle Pearce, Michael Johnson, Paul Duffield
C Cameron Sutcliffe, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
HF Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Matt de Boer
F Hayden Crozier, Zac Clarke, Lachie Neale
FOL Aaron Sandilands, Tendai Mzungu, Stephen Hill
I/C Colin Sylvia, Nick Suban, Josh Simpson, Clancee Pearce, Matt Taberner, Tommy Sheridan, Jack Hannath (Three to be omitted)

IN Colin Sylvia, Josh Simpson, Zac Clarke, Clancee Pearce, Matt Taberner, Zac Dawson
OUT Garrick Ibbotson (Shoulder), Michael Walters (Ankle), Chris Mayne (Ankle)

Essendon Bombers:

B Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley
HB Dyson Heppell, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
C Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking
HF Ben Howlett, Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis
F Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Brendon Goddard
FOL Jake Carlisle, David Myers, Jackson Merrett
I/C Dylan Van Unen, Jason Ashby, Martin Gleeson, Jake Melksham, Travis Colyer, Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham (Three to be omitted)
IN Dylan Van Unen, Travis Colyer, Leroy Jetta