Live updates: Fremantle Dockers look to end MCG hoodoo against ladder-leading Collingwood
The Dockers have not won in Victoria since May last year, while they have not beaten the Pies since round nine 2020, with last year's draw their closest result.
Can they claim a massive scalp to make a huge statement ahead of September?
Follow all the action live!
Fremantle don't get to play on the MCG a whole lot and the Collingwood crowd will always be a factor for travelling teams. More than 60,000 fans could come through today.
'Embrace the crowd and embrace the challenge,' he says on Seven.
'We need to bring the same intensity and energy as last week it's not just going to happen.'
No late changes for the Dockers or Pies with Hayden Young to play as the sub.
Justin Longmuir had been flirting with the idea of nursing him through a full game but given his recent injury history this is the safer call.
Hello and welcome to Fremantle's blockbuster clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
The Dockers haven't won in Victoria since May last season, while it's been five years since Freo fans have sung the song against Collingwood.
However they will be buoyed after their gritty win over Hawthorn while the Pies will hope to bounce back from their loss to Gold Coast.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Vixens feel they have the antidote to stop hot Fever
Retiring coach Simone McKinnis says nothing short of the Melbourne Vixens' best will be enough to stop the West Coast Fever juggernaut in Saturday's Super Netball grand final. The Vixens are determined to send McKinnis, stepping down after 13 years at the helm, out as a winner but face a mighty task in toppling the Fever, who are on a 13-game winning streak. In the two clashes through the season Melbourne haven't come close, but after fighting their way from fourth to a spot in the decider at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena, believe they can cause a boilover against the runaway minor premiers. The Vixens fortuitously have a home grand final thanks to Netball Australia selling off the match to the highest bidder, which the Victorian government won last September. The Vixens suffered a two-goal loss in last year's grand final in Adelaide against the Thunderbirds, with their last title coming win a victory against the Fever in 2020, when the title showdown was played in a Queensland hub due to COVID-19. McKinnis acknowledged it would be tough but not impossible to stop the Fever, who won their last grand final meeting in 2022, and in particular Jamaican sharp-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. They have been boosted by the return of star wing attack Hannah Mundy, who has been sidelined for more than a month with a foot injury but got the green light this week. "We have to be at our absolute best, individually and collectively as a team and I think that anything bar that is not going to cut it," said McKinnis, a former Diamonds wing defence. "We have to have real clarity and intention about what we're doing out there, we have to put them under as much pressure as we can and we have to go for it back ourselves in attack. "Tough ask, but I believe we can do it." Fever coach Dan Ryan said his team's preparation had been seamless as they sat back and watched the Vixens claw their way from a 10-goal three-quarter time deficit to oust the NSW Swifts in the preliminary final. The Perth outfit beat the Vixens in the final round of the season by 11 goals with Fowler-Nembhard slotting a stunning 60 goals with her only blemish missing two long-range super shots. But Ryan said they were far from a one-player team. "To win this competition every single player needs to pull their weight and do their role and every role is slightly different and we've got a team of 10 that we have great confidence to turn to at any point in time," he said. "Jhaniele is obviously a focal point for us, and she's always a focal point in opposition game plans as well, but we really back in every position on the court to bring out the best in each other and support each other on that court. "It's been a really good two-week build to the game ... there's a great energy amongst the group and confidence and excitement to get out there and hopefully play some great netball."
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Dog and Dogga all smiles as Sean Darcy hits his straps
Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy is finally pain free and ready to hit the tail end of the season with a bang - and his dog couldn't be happier. The Dockers (13-6) have won nine of their past 10 matches to put themselves in the mix to nab a top-four berth with just four games will start as hot favourites in Sunday's clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium, and follow-up wins against Port Adelaide (away), Brisbane (home) and the Bulldogs (away) would almost certainly net them a prized double chance come finals endured soft tissue injuries to go with knee and ankle complaints across 2023 and 2024, and there were more questions about his durability following a slow start this year. But the 27-year-old has built nicely over recent weeks, and importantly is now pulling up well from games."It wasn't great before," Darcy said of his next-day soreness following matches. "My dog didn't like me too much the next day after games. I wasn't taking him for walks too much. "I'm pulling up a lot better now, and that's a credit to our rehab staff and our strength and conditioning staff." The ruck combination of Darcy and Luke "Dogga" Jackson, which has come under heavy scrutiny in the past, is starting to pay big dividends. The evolving nature of the relationship means that when Darcy is in the ruck, Jackson often spends time as a big-bodied midfielder, giving Fremantle an X-factor. "I love the big fella. We're quite close off field as well, which makes it a bit easier," Darcy said. "We're pretty selfless, both of us." One quandary Darcy has encountered this year is the big question of who he should hit it to when he's competing for a ruck tap. Hayden Young, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Shai Bolton are all A-grade midfielders, and Jackson is just as hungry to receive the ball when he's part of the engine room. "I've got to keep them all happy - that's half the battle," Darcy said with a laugh. "But no, we're a pretty selfless group. If we're winning, that's the main thing." Young, playing just his second match back from hamstring surgery, won the Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield for his 23-disposal, three-goal display against West Coast last week. "I had some chats with him in rehab, and that's a pretty dark place when you have multiple surgeries or multiple repeat injuries," Darcy said. "He put his head down, and he worked, and you saw what kind of player he is."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
NBA prospect adds firepower to Wildcats' NBL title bid
NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes. Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award. The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects. "It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said. "His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster." Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month. The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton. "Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said. "Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship." The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers. US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition. Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books. Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game. The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast. It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns. "We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said. "We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program. "He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines." NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes. Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award. The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects. "It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said. "His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster." Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month. The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton. "Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said. "Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship." The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers. US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition. Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books. Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game. The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast. It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns. "We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said. "We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program. "He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines." NBA prospect Ben Henshall has re-signed with the Perth Wildcats in a significant boost to the club's NBL championship hopes. Henshall put himself on NBA scouts' radars during a breakout campaign with the Wildcats last season, earning a nomination for the NBL's most improved player award. The 21-year-old West Australian initially nominated for the NBA draft but withdrew with an eye to bolstering his future prospects. "It is exciting to have Ben back while trusting us to help him chase his goal of the NBA," Wildcats coach John Rillie said. "His shot-making and explosive scoring ability complements the other pieces on our roster." Henshall will play for the Australian Boomers as they seek to claim a third straight FIBA Asia Cup title this month. The 195cm swingman will then turn his attention to helping the Wildcats launch another championship push following the messy departure of club legend Bryce Cotton. "Super excited to re-sign and continue my journey with Perth," Henshall said. "Can't wait to play in front of the Red Army again and chase that championship." The Wildcats have managed to piece together a strong roster despite five-time NBL MVP Cotton leaving to join the Adelaide 36ers. US imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have returned, while marquee centre Jo Lual-Acuil is a huge addition. Veteran forward Jesse Wagstaff, Sunday Dech and Elijah Pepper are also on the books. Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will likely use their final import spot to recruit a floor general after point guard Sean McDonald tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Boomers' sole Asia Cup warm-up game. The luckless McDonald suffered the injury while driving to the basket in Thursday's 93-87 defeat of University of Colorado on the Gold Coast. It continues a torrid run of injuries for the Victorian, who was set to play a key role this season after foot and ankle injuries derailed his previous two campaigns. "We're absolutely devastated for Sean," JackJumpers general manager of basketball Darren Smith said. "We'll do everything we can to support him in his recovery and keep him engaged in the program. "He'll absolutely still play a key role for us with his incredible basketball IQ, albeit from the sidelines."
