This article was written by Alex Malcolm for afl.com.au and does not neccessarily represent the view of the Port Adeladie Football Club.
SUMMARY
This round one match-up is a salivating prospect. Port Adelaide knocked Fremantle out of the finals series at Domain Stadium last year. The teams met three times last season and all three were enthralling encounters. Both sides have had some injury concerns over the summer. The Dockers may attempt to stretch Port with a taller forward line. Port will look to unleash Travis Boak and Robbie Gray in the absence of Ryan Crowley. Just as it was in last year's semi-final, it will be the team that can take its chances that will ultimately come out on top.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, April 5, 4.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
1SF, 2014, Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) d Fremantle 11.17 (83) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2014, Fremantle 16.9 (105) d Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) at Domain Stadium
R8, 2014, Port Adelaide 13.16 (94) d Fremantle 11.10 (76) at Adelaide Oval
R22, 2013, Fremantle 21.8 (134) d Port Adelaide 9.6 (60) at Domain Stadium
R18, 2012, Fremantle 11.9 (75) d Port Adelaide 6.12 (48) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Port Adelaide beat Fremantle twice in three encounters in 2014. Prior to last season the Dockers had won the previous six games between the two sides, including three wins by more than 50 points.
2. Port Adelaide ranked second for marks inside 50 in 2014, averaging 13.5 during the home and away season. Fremantle ranked ninth, averaging 11.4 during the regular season.
3. Fremantle was ranked No.1 for hit-outs in 2014 but the Dockers slipped to ninth in clearances. Port Adelaide was the second best clearance team averaging 40.6 per in 2014.
4. Port Adelaide is one of only three teams to defeat Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Perth in the last two seasons. The other two sides were North Melbourne and Essendon.
5. Port Adelaide was the second best scoring team in 2014. Port was one of only two sides to average 100 points or more per game. Fremantle was ranked eighth averaging 91 points per game.
6. The 2014 AFL Players' Association MVP Nat Fyfe (ninth) is ranked 27 places higher than the 2014 AFL Coaches' Association MVP Robbie Gray (36th) on the Official AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Matt de Boer. In the absence of Ryan Crowley, de Boer appears the most likely Docker to fill the tagger's shoes. He has his work cut out for him. Crowley has stalked Port Adelaide's captain Travis Boak in the last three encounters and Boak has averaged just 18 touches in those three games. De Boer certainly has the engine after putting in a phenomenal pre-season.
ODDS
Fremantle: 1.77
Port Adelaide 2.05
