Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 22 match is between Geelong Cats and Fremantle Dockers. The opening kick is set to commence at 14:10 local time with the game to be played at GMHBA Stadium. The home team Geelong Cats are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Geelong Cats and Fremantle Dockers.
When: 14:10 | Saturday 18/08/2018
Where: GMHBA Stadium
Preview:
Off the back of another close loss, the Cats need a better performance from their bottom 10 players who go missing in big moments.
This is an important game for Geelong because if they lose, they will miss the eight and they also need a big win to boost their percentage.
A season-ending injury to Michael Walters it a big blow for Freo as he’s their best forward and probably their second-best player behind Nat Fyfe.
Hopefully Fyfe can return to the side this week.
On the plus side, midfielder Lachie Neale was strong for the Dockers and he and David Mundy will be important because they are up against Geelong’s star-studded midfield which is probably the best in the competition.
KEY BATTLE: Scott Selwood v Lachie Neale
Selwood did a good tagging job on Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell last week and if he can shut out Neale, Fremantle will have no hope.
The Verdict
The Cats rarely lose at home and Fremantle will pose no threat to them.
Geelong has won 18 of its last 19 Saturday matches at GMHBA Stadium.
Unibet Odds:
Geelong at $1.04
Fremantle at $11.50
Odds:
Tip: Geelong Cats at $1.06
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Tom Hawkins at $5.50
More Info:
Teams:
Geelong Cats: 
B Tom Stewart, Lachie Henderson, Zach Tuohy
HB Mitch Duncan, Jake Kolodjashnij, Cameron Guthrie
C Jordan Murdoch, Joel Selwood, Jackson Thurlow
HF Sam Menegola, Harry Taylor, Tim Kelly
F Daniel Menzel, Tom Hawkins, Brandan Parfitt
FOL Ryan Abbott, Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett
I/C Mark Blicavs, Jack Henry, Mark O’Connor, Scott Selwood
EMG Jordan Cunico, Quinton Narkle, James Parsons, Zac Smith
IN Jordan Murdoch, Jackson Thurlow, Harry Taylor, Ryan Abbott
OUT Rhys Stanley (Injured), Lachie Fogarty (Omitted), James Parsons (Omitted), Quinton Narkle (Omitted)
Fremantle Dockers: 
B Taylin Duman, Michael Johnson, Alex Pearce
HB Ed Langdon, Nathan Wilson, Brady Grey
C Bradley Hill, Nat Fyfe, Adam Cerra
HF Shane Kersten, Brennan Cox, Cam McCarthy
F Hayden Ballantyne, Matt Taberner, Lachie Neale
FOL Sean Darcy, Michael Walters, David Mundy
I/C Ryan Nyhuis, Tommy Sheridan, Stefan Giro, Bailey Banfield
EMG Brandon Matera, Scott Jones, Danyle Pearce, Ethan Hughes
IN Nat Fyfe, Bailey Banfield
OUT Luke Ryan (Injured), Sam Switkowski (Injured)
AFL News:
Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe and star forward Michael Walters could make surprise appearances in Saturday’s AFL clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The Dockers thought Walters would miss the rest of the season after the 27-year-old appeared to injure his hamstring during last week’s win over Carlton.
But scans revealed no tear in the hamstring, with the injury actually a lower buttock issue.
Fyfe has missed the past six matches with a torn hamstring, and on Sunday coach Ross Lyon rated the Brownlow medallist as only a “slim” chance to return this week.
But Fyfe now appears on track to make a return.
“There will be a final training session on Thursday, so if he gets through that okay he’ll be free to play,” senior physiotherapist Jeff Boyle said.
Defender Luke Ryan (hamstring) is in doubt, while defender Joel Hamling and Aaron Sandilands will miss at least another week with calf injuries.
Harley Bennell, who tweaked his calf several weeks ago, is listed as TBA on the club’s injury list and may not play again this year.
Losses to Richmond and Hawthorn have dropped Geelong (11-9) to ninth on the ladder.
But the Cats face an easy run home, and could even snare a home final if they can post big wins over Fremantle and Gold Coast.
The Cats will be without ruckman Rhys Stanley (calf) against the Dockers, but defender Zach Tuohy is hopeful he can recover from a hand injury.
Defender Jed Bews is a chance to return from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the 11-point loss to Hawthorn.
