Freo’s record

Fremantle has won four from four matches against the second newest AFL team with an average winning margin of 38 points. Last time they met, in Round 2 last year, Fremantle won by 48 points with David Mundy best on ground with 33 touches.

Match Preview: Fremantle v Gold Coast

Defence

With All Australian Michael Johnson sidelined with a serious hamstring injury, Fremantle’s defence will have a new make-up. If Alex Pearce is selected to replace Johnson, it will be just his third game of AFL. It leaves veteran defender Luke McPharlin with a critical role propping up the back line.

Scorched Suns

While Gold Coast have been ravaged by injury and several club imposed bans this year, they are still a talented bunch. Fremantle will need to be wary of young guns such as Tom Nicholls, Kade Kolodjashnij and Tom Lynch to avoid a repeat of last week’s loss.

Pearce primed to play

Dixon factor

Exciting forward Charlie Dixon is expected to return for the Suns after serving a one-match club imposed ban for breaching club standards. The 25-year-old is a big target forward for Gold Coast, he has kicked 17 goals this season at an average of 2.8 per game.

Fremantle play Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday 13 June. Bounce down is at 1.40pm local time.