Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 23 match is between Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Magpies. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:35 local time with the game to be played at Optus Stadium. The away team Collingwood Magpies are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Magpies.
When: 16:35 | Saturday 25/08/2018
Where: Optus Stadium
Preview:
After their 133-point defeat last week, you would hope the Dockers would respond strongly because they were pathetic against the Cats.
On the positive side of things, Freo fans will celebrate and farewell the exceptional career of veteran defender Michael Johnson.
He has been a talented player over many years and it’ll be sad to see him finish up this weekend.
For Collingwood, we know it’s nearly impossible to win the premiership from outside of the top four, so that’s why a win and a top four position is vital for the Magpies.
Taylor Adams has stepped up in the absence of Adam Treloar and he has been their number one ball winner over the last month and given them lots of drive.
KEY BATTLE: Nat Fyfe v Scott Pendlebury
It would be great to see both captains go head-to-head in the midfield.
The Verdict
Hard to mount a case for the disappointing Dockers and the Pies have too much to play for.
Collingwood leads Fremantle 6-3 since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Fremantle Dockers at $5.60
Collingwood Magpies at $1.16
Odds:
Tip: Collingwood Magpies at $1.15
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Josh Thomas at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Fremantle Dockers: 
B: Hamling, Johnson, Pearce
HB: Langdon, Wilson, Duman
C: B. Hill, Fyfe, Tucker
HF: Kersten, B. Cox, Neale
F: Ballantyne, Taberner, McCarthy
FOLL: Darcy, S. Hill, Mundy
I/C: Switkowski, Sheridan, Grey, Cerra
EMG: Matera, Banfield, Meek, Hughes
IN: Hill, Tucker, Switkowski, Hamling
OUT: Walters, Nyhuis, Banfield, Giro
Collingwood Magpies: 
B: Maynard, Langdon, Crisp
HB: Murphy, Madgen, Greenwood
C: Varcoe, Pendlebury, Phillips
HF: Hoskin-Elliott, Mihocek, De Goey
F: Thomas, Cox, Stephenson
FOLL: Grundy, Adams, Sidebottom
I/C: Sier, Aish, Mayne, Oxley
EMG: Appleby, Smith, Daicos, McLarty
No changes
AFL News:
Port Adelaide’s AFL season is on life support while a top-four finish is within Collingwood’s reach after they stormed home to down the Power by 51 points at the MCG.
The Pies held a narrow lead at the final break on Saturday afternoon before booting seven goals to one to run out 17.13 (115) to 10.4 (64) winners.
The thumping victory lifts the Pies to third on the ladder and should be enough to secure a double-chance with lowly Fremantle awaiting in round 23.
Ruckman Brodie Grundy starred with 41 hitouts, 25 disposals and a goal, Mason Cox (eight marks) was imposing in the air and Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and Chris Mayne were prolific ball-winners.
A week after losing to West Coast with a goal after the siren, the Power were again found wanting in a high-stakes game, squandering a promising start and managing just one goal after five minutes of the third quarter.
Port have now lost five of their past six games and while the Magpies continue to find a way despite a growing injury toll, Ken Hinkley’s men look ill-prepared for the September cauldron.
The Power must beat Essendon at Adelaide Oval next Friday night and hope Melbourne lose both their remaining games to stand any chance of making the eight.
Port had the early ascendancy, restricting Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom with hard tags but the Pies turned the tables with the first three goals of the second quarter.
Off-contract Port wingman Jared Polec showed why rivals are queuing to secure his services, weaving through traffic and kicking truly from 40m to break Collingwood’s run.
But the Pies were dominating the midfield battle, led by Adams who had 16 disposals and a goal during a brilliant second quarter.
Missing spearhead Charlie Dixon to a season-ending leg injury, Port looked disorganised in their forward half and reluctant to take the game on.
A chance to take the lead went begging when the Power dropped their bundle in front of goals, handballing among themselves until Collingwood rushed a behind.
The game descended into a scrap after halftime and while Port trailed by just 13 points at the final break, it took a matter of minutes for a fast-finishing Collingwood to put the result beyond doubt.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder booted three majors despite being hampered by a hip injury while Ollie Wines and Steven Motlop fought hard in the midfield.
Pies forward Jordan De Goey finished the game on the bench with ice on his calf.
