Where and When: Saturday 9 April, 7.25pm

Last time they met: 

It’s been more than a year since the GIANTS took on the Dockers, with Fremantle notching a 31-point win at Optus Stadium back in round 2 of the 2021 season. David Mundy took charge of things in the midfield that day, and the Dockers dominated the game both inside the contest and on the outside. They started faster, won more clearances, won contested possessions and while both teams missed some chances, their greater run led to a 58-44 inside 50 count. Mundy had plenty of help from Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong, with Toby Greene, Harry Himmelberg and Harry Perryman among the better performed GIANTS on a disappointing day.

TV and Online: 

Saturday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 7pm EST and on 7mate into NSW and the ACT.

What it means for the GIANTS: 

The GIANTS got their first win on the board against Gold Coast last week, celebrating their first game at GIANTS Stadium in nine months with their most intense and energetic game for the season, a strong response to a lacklustre loss to Richmond in round 2 that needs to be backed up in Perth if the team is to square its season up at 2-2 and start to push ahead.

Where’s the opposition at?

The Dockers are sitting in fifth spot on the ladder with two wins from their three games, and are coming off a comprehensive win over West Coast in last weekend’s Derby. Ruckman Sean Darcy and Mundy may be back, having emerged from quarantine, to join Brayshaw in the midfield. Serong, who has been missing with a knee injury, is another chance to return. Matt Taberner, Michael Frederick and Rory Lobb were all in good goalkicking form against the Eagles, as was best-on-ground Lachie Schulz. Coach Justin Longmuir will have to watch on from home for a second week, due to Covid protocols.

Player watch:

Lachie Ash, with some help from Matt de Boer, did a great job quelling Gold Coast star Touk Miller in round two, while also playing his best game of the new season putting his running power to good use. Ash has proven to be a versatile player early in his career, playing off the half-back line and starting this season on a wing. With Brayshaw in hot form and both Mundy and Serong so influential last time these teams played, does another shutdown job await?

In the mix: 

Nick Haynes was subbed out of last week’s win due to a ankle injury and will face a fitness test later this week to determine whether he will be available for the GIANTS’ trip to Optus Stadium. Adam Kennedy jumped straight into action when Haynes was subbed out, and is never far from the selectors’ minds, while Finn Callaghan, Jacob Wehr, Cooper Hamilton, Cam Fleeton, Matt Flynn and Leek Aleer all put their hands up with strong performances in the VFL side’s win over Frankston.