The third game on Saturday for AFL Round 4 is between Fremantle Dockers and Essendon Bombers. The match is to be played at Patersons Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 16.40pm with away team Essendon Bombers currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Fremantle Dockers and Essendon Bombers.
Round: Round 4, Sunday March 13, 16.40pm
Stadium: Patersons Stadium
Weather: – 32° Sunny.
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Odds Comparison:
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| 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.
Preview:
The last match of Round 4 is between the Dockers and Bombers, Sunday, 2.40PM western time at Patersons Stadium. This looks like a good contest to finish of the weekend, with odds very close and even identical at some bookmakers. These two teams had very different results last round, with the Dockers losing in their grand final rematch and the Bombers absolutely killing it against Carlton.
While that result alone would have to put Essendon in the drivers seat, Fremantle do have the quality to turn things around and will come out fighting after last week’s poor result. The Dockers will have to play without both Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow, however, which will put even more pressure on them against a hungry Bombers side.
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
News:
Essendon can send a message on Sunday that they are genuine AFL premiership contenders as they tackle last year’s grand finalists Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
The Bombers have been impressive this season, with wins over North Melbourne and Carlton, but they could have made a real statement if they got over the line against reigning premiers Hawthorn.
However, they fell just short, losing by four points, and now head to Perth taking on a Dockers team who played in last year’s grand final, but are coming off a disappointing loss to the Hawks and are without stars Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow, Michael Walters and Chris Mayne.
Essendon also beat Fremantle in Perth early last season so the trip holds no fears for the Bombers, but Dockers coach Ross Lyon knows his team is facing a huge challenge to beat them and to bounce back from last Friday night’s 58-point thrashing at the hands of Hawthorn.
The Bombers had a tremendous start to 2013 as well, at one stage sitting on a 13-3 record after 17 rounds, so their form early in 2014 under Mark Thompson doesn’t surprise Lyon, but he is confident his Dockers are up for the challenge.
“Our group is proud and our midfield has delivered but we are coming up against the form team in the competition,” Lyon said.
“At the end of the day they probably should have got across the line against Hawthorn to be 3-0. They are pretty much fully fit and available, and have beaten us the last couple of times, including here.
“We have also come off a really bad loss, so all the pointers are that it’s going to be a big challenge, but one we are keen to accept.
“We see it as a real opportunity to improve our footy again after a step backwards again last week. We didn’t enjoy that. We haven’t beaten each other up this week, but we know we need to bring better effort, playing together better and play some positive football.”
Essendon have made no changes from the team that thrashed at Carlton on Sunday by 81 points but Fremantle have been forced to make adjustments through injury.
Garrick Ibbotson, Mayne and Walters go out of the team hurt, with Jack Hannath and Tom Sheridan dropped, with Zac Dawson, Clancee Pearce, Zac Clarke, Matt Taberner and Josh Simpson coming in.
Former Melbourne 157-game veteran Colin Sylvia has again been overlooked by Lyon.