Although Fremantle was one of the early season flag favourites, with some injury and suspension problems, there might just be the sniff of an upset on the Gold Coast on Saturday night. Without stars Matthew Pavlich (Achilles), Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) and Nat Fyfe (suspended), Freo is a little lighter on for class than usual. Mix in the fact the Suns are fresh from their highest score and biggest win in club history over GWS last weekend, and there's some ingredients in place for a boilover. Ross Lyon's men snuck home by a point last week against Richmond, and with a 3-2 record alongside their name, will want to re-assert themselves as a force against the young Suns.

 

WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday May 4, 7.40pm 

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R 6, 2012, Fremantle 14.10 (94) d Gold Coast 14.3 (87) at Metricon Stadium

Rd 15, 2011, Fremantle 17.10 (112) d Gold Coast 9.8 (62) at Patersons Stadium

 

1. In the narrow round six loss last season, Gold Coast’s Harley Bennell was best on ground with 37 disposals and three goals. He earned the three Brownlow votes.

2. Fremantle has a perfect record at Metricon Stadium; defeating Carlton in 2009 by seven points and the Suns last season by the same margin.

3. Dockers coach Ross Lyon is no stranger to Metricon Stadium; he coached St Kilda to three wins at the venue in 2008, 2009 and 2011, before winning in 2012 with his new club.

4. Gold Coast’s attack has improved dramatically in 2013, with an average score of 94 points per game compared to 68 in 2012. However, the Suns come up against a Fremantle defence ranked fourth best in the League.

5. Gold Coast is ranked third in 2013 for contested possessions compared to Fremantle which is ninth.

6. Both teams are impressive at clearances so far in 2013, with Fremantle ranked third and Gold Coast sixth.