Fremantle vs Carlton
Sunday 9th July 2023
Optus Stadium
2:40pm
Sunday 9th July 2023
Optus Stadium
2:40pm
In a galaxy far, far away there is a person who is capable of writing an interesting and witty preview for this game. Unfortunately for you lot the only previewer you have in this galaxy is me and I am feeling totally bereft of ideas, wit or interesting writing.
However I am feeling like I may be a lucky charm for the Dockers this year – we have won every game I have attended live. In the early part of the season I was away (initially being a tourist in Spain and then fulfilling my role as Grandma dockerfemme in both the south of France and England). I attended the Hawthorn and Geelong wins, I had every intention of attending the Richmond match but at the last minute there was illness in my family and I didn’t get there (family all ok now) and I was at the Essendon match on Saturday night. I am generally an analytical person. I find it hard to believe I am a lucky charm but the numbers say otherwise so I plan to get to the Carlton match and hopefully work my magic.
Last Time They Met
2022 Round 15 Marvel Stadium Carlton 12 9 81 defeated Fremantle 7 8 50
This was a match where we won the first quarter but did very little after that. We obviously learnt from that experience and have very nearly perfected losing the first quarter since that time.
Line-ups
The Dockers have a good level of availability with Tabs and, I assume, Fyfe and Chappy being the only unavailable players. I would like to see Brodie in for Fyfe, as I think we need the bigger, mature body in the centre square, but it may well be Erasmus for Fyfe.
Carlton went into the match against Hawthorn on the weekend without a recognised ruckman due to knee issues for both Pittonet and de Koning, but it is suggested that they may be available for this match. Other than that their availability seems to be good.
This Week’s Battle
Carlton field a considerably older but only marginally more experienced team than the Dockers. The form of both teams could best be described as patchy. Some guy called Adam Cerra may well be leading Carlton’s b&f, though Charlie Curnow is clearly their most dangerous player. Carlton had a very good year for clearances last year but have failed to reproduce that this year, leading to a much poorer year. They do defend well and have the 4th best points against, but they have struggled to score. They have found form the last 2 matches with big wins over the Suns and the Hawks.
Breaking even in the midfield (and our rucks could help with that) and keeping Charlie Curnow on the leash should be the keys to this match. I would like to see a better performance from our defence too, as a group they have been a lot less impressive than last year.
Prediction
It is a match we need to win, if we want to maintain a sniff of final’s contention.
Dockers 13 12 90
Carlton 11 10 76
DRAGONS FFC 
