As the GIANTS get set take on Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Saturday night, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming from the west.
Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow says half the battle will be in the midfield as the Dockers attempt to quell the impact of the GIANTS’ forward line.
"We’ll try and take control of the ground battle and that will be the best way to help out the defence for us," Barlow told his club’s website.
"It’s such an important aspect of the game.
"To be able to get it going our way, gain ground position and put their defenders under pressure while giving our boys down back a bit of a rest."
Despite not having Aaron Sandilands and Nat Fyfe due to injury, as well as going up against a formidable Adelaide midfield led by in-form ruckman Sam Jacobs, Fremantle won the clearance count 35 to 30 in their round six clash last Saturday.
Barlow said Fremantle’s recent improvement around the stoppages was a reason for optimism heading into Saturday’s night match against the GIANTS.
"Our stoppage numbers against Adelaide were better and we held our own for large parts of the game," he said.
"We’ll have a good look at GWS and their ability around the stoppages, and we’ll also take a bit of belief out of the Adelaide game with our work around the ball."
Fremantle key position player Matt Taberner has played himself into some good form over the past two weeks, but the young forward said he’s continuing to work to develop his game.
"It’s definitely good experience and every game (in the AFL) you come up against quality opposition it’s a good opportunity to build off that," Taberner said.
"GWS had a very good win last week and they have some quality backs so it should be a tough task which I’m looking forward to."
The 198cm forward kicked a goal against the Crows last week and collected 19 disposals while also taking seven marks.
There’s no fresh news on the injury front for the Dockers, with Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands and Michael Johnson all undergoing surgery and out for an extended period of time.
A number of Fremantle players put their hand up for selection consideration after solid performances in Peel Thunder's 77-point win against Perth Demons in the WAFL on Saturday.
The list of possible inclusions for this week’s game is led by midfielder Clancee Pearce and ruckman Jack Hannath.
Pearce returned from a hamstring injury with 30 disposals, finishing with a team high six inside 50s, while Hannath had a dominant display in the ruck with 42 hit outs.
Other names in the mix for Saturday night’s game include Ethan Hughes, Tanner Smith, Matt de Boer, Ed Langdon and Shane Yarran.
Last week Fremantle lost their sixth-straight game, this time to Adelaide by 33 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Michael Walters led the way for the Dockers with 29 disposals and three goals, while Stephen Hill (25 possessions) and Michael Barlow (33 possessions, seven tackles) were also strong.
Alex Pearce held Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker goalless but poor conversion meant the Dockers couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities and it was the Crows who sealed the win in the final term.
The fifth-placed GIANTS travel to Perth to take on the winless Dockers at Domain Stadium on Saturday night at 8.10pm AEST (6.10pm local).
