Fremantle is facing a potential early exit as they take on the seasoned Geelong in a match that offers the winner a chance to face Sydney in the preliminary final. The balance of this game will hinge on key factors.
“The slow ball movement that held the Dockers back in recent years returned against the Hawks and made it difficult to capitalise on their 57 inside 50s as they finished with only five goals. After scoring only 17 points from turnover against the Hawks, Longmuir’s side will have to punish the Cats’ mistakes more to progress to the preliminary final.”
The Cats have found the right mix between defence and attack throughout their unbeaten streak leading up to the elimination final win against the Blues, achieving six scores of 100 points or more in seven victories while conceding triple figures only once.
Fans of both Fremantle and Geelong are making their way to Optus Stadium, with the first ball-up just over half an hour away.
Milestone for Bailey Smith
Bailey Smith of Geelong is marking a milestone by playing his 150th AFL match. He previously played 103 games for the Western Bulldogs before transitioning to Geelong during the 2024 trade period. He has certainly met expectations at his new club, averaging 31.9 disposals across 46 games and finishing third in last year’s Brownlow medal after recovering from a torn ACL.
Fremantle’s pressure and changes
Fans of Fremantle are feeling the pressure at Optus Stadium and beyond, as hopes of securing the club’s first men’s premiership seem precarious. Brendan Foster is in Perth and has observed the excitement build throughout this AFL season, along with the Dockers’ previous, ultimately unsuccessful, finals campaigns.
“Whenever the Dockers make a finals appearance, the ramshackle, salty seaside port city of Fremantle becomes awash in a sea of relentless optimism. The city’s famed Cappuccino Strip and nearby streets are painted purple; Dockers-themed sausages that eerily resemble the entrails of Frankenstein are on the menu at cafes and restaurants, and landmarks like the World Heritage-listed Fremantle prison light up with a peculiar, pale plum colour.”
The only thing missing is Prince & The Revolution’s 1984 banger “Purple Rain” bellowing out of loudspeakers in the heart of the CBD.
The final teams have been announced with no last-minute changes.
Fremantle has made one alteration from the team that suffered a heavy loss to Hawthorn in the qualifying final, dropping winger Nathan O’Driscoll and losing defender Brandon Walker to an ankle injury. Corey Wagner has been brought in to face Geelong, alongside former Melbourne defender Judd McVee, who has also been recalled for the semi-final.
Geelong’s unchanged lineup
Geelong remains unchanged from the team that defeated Carlton decisively last week, opting not to bring back tall defender Sam De Koning despite Fremantle naming three key forwards in Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Patrick Voss.
Welcome to the live coverage of the AFL semi-final between Fremantle and Geelong. This match signals a critical juncture in the season as the minor premiers and perennial finalists clash. However, this encounter might have come earlier than anticipated following a turbulent weekend of finals, particularly among the top-four teams of the home-and-away season.
The Dockers relinquished much of the progress they had made by breaking the club record for their longest winning streak (now 14 matches) and most victories in a regular season (now 19) with a disappointing qualifying final against the Hawks. Justin Longmuir’s team was already set to host two finals, but now it faces an earlier knockout game against Chris Scott’s battle-tested side. The opportunity for a spot in the preliminary final is at stake, yet the prospect of a straight-sets finals exit after finishing atop the ladder adds to the pressure on the home team.
The Cats took time to find their rhythm against the in-form Blues in their elimination final. However, once they did, the victory felt inevitable, resulting in a comfortable 33-point win that could have been even larger had they not missed 23 behinds from 37 scoring shots. The Cats bring valuable finals experience, having won 13 finals since 2015, compared to the Dockers’ single victory.
The runners-up from the previous year still have room for improvement, with Max Holmes on the mend from a serious ankle injury and Jeremy Cameron appearing less than optimal. The star forward only managed nine disposals while playing a mix of wing and defence last week, dealing with shoulder and AC joint issues as well as lingering nerve problems from the right arm he broke in last year’s grand final loss to the Lions. The Cats are hopeful that both key players will benefit from their recent run.
The winner of this semi-final will have a favorable matchup against an undermanned Sydney team in the preliminary final at the SCG. For now, the first ball-up at Optus Stadium in Perth is scheduled for 6:10 PM local time/8:10 PM AEST. Stay tuned for team news shortly. Meanwhile, feel free to email your thoughts and predictions. Let’s get started!
