Gralin
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Melbourne Forecast
Cloudy. High (70%) chance of light showers or drizzle, most likely in the morning. Light winds.
Last time they met: Optus Stadium, round 23, 2018: Fremantle 9.13 (67) lost to Collingwood 11.10 (76)
The Magpies had to win the final-round clash against the lowly Dockers to secure a top-four berth, but they trailed by eight points midway through the last quarter before conjuring the last three goals, two of them in quick succession to Brody Mihocek. Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury had it on a string.
What it means for Collingwood: The understrength Pies have done just enough against ordinary opposition in recent weeks but, given they slaughtered the Dockers at the 'G last year, this could be a chance to close the percentage gap with top team Geelong.
What it means for Fremantle: In their first of just two MCG fixtures for the season, the Dockers will be keen to prove their top-eight credentials by claiming one of the competition's biggest scalps.
How Collingwood wins: Gun ruckman Brodie Grundy will continue to provide a wealth of opportunities to a deep running brigade, which in turn will serve quality scoring opportunities to a flexible attack. Their familiarity with the MCG should not be understated.
How Fremantle wins: Rory Lobb to break even with Grundy and trouble him with his leap, enabling skipper Nat Fyfe and veteran David Mundy to gain the ascendancy around stoppages and distribute to their pacy runners.
The stat: The Pies have won their past four against Freo, and their past six against them at the MCG, including a 61-point shellacking there in their corresponding clash last year.
The match-up: Nat Fyfe v Scott Pendlebury
The opposing skippers, who were AFLX teammates in Fyfe's Flyers team in February, appear set to lock horns in a duel that could shape the outcome. Pendlebury (No.23 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) is likely to be assigned responsibility for Fyfe (No.2) at stoppages – an appetising prospect for football purists.
It’s a big week for: Chris Mayne
The former Docker figured in both wins over his previous club last year but had little of the ball as he played predominantly defensive roles. The former forward will be keen to show how far he has come as a ball-generating, link-up wingman.
Big call: Freo's after-the-siren hero Michael Walters will produce contenders for both the Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year.
Prediction: Pies by 29 points
Source: AFL Website
