SUMMARY
Fremantle are coming out of a tense Western Derby clash and need to refocus ahead of Sunday’s clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium, with the chance to equal last year's eight victories.
The Blues were defeated by the Giants by 105 points last Sunday, when their injury-hit opponent fielding only 16 players on the field at times in the final quarter. With only two wins so far this season, rumblings of discontent will only grow louder if the Blues can't compete against the rebuilding Fremantle. If Carlton wants to avoid a fifth wooden spoon since 2002, this is a must-win encounter. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, August 12, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2018, Fremantle 15.13 (103) d Carlton 6.10 (46) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2017, Fremantle 13.8 (96) d Carlton 7.9 (51) at Subiaco Oval
R5, 2016, Carlton 10.12 (72) d Fremantle 9.14 (68) at Subiaco Oval
R16, 2015, Fremantle 13.17 (95) d Carlton 8.5 (53) at Subiaco Oval
R19, 2014, Fremantle 12.11 (83) d Carlton 11.12 (78) at Subiaco Oval    

THE FIVE POINTS

  1. The contest was over by half-time in round 13 after the Dockers kicked 12 goals to seven behinds in the first half. Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe finished best on ground with 30 disposals and two goals.
  2. Fremantle average 71 points (AFL No.14), and the Blues barely manage 10 goals per game (61 points, AFL No.17).
  3. Fremantle has the edge Carlton recently, winning five of the last six matches with an average winning margin of 35 points.
  4. The teams will play at Optus Stadium for the first time. Fremantle has won three of the last four clashes between the sides in Perth. Carlton has lost 14 of their last 17 matches interstate.
  5. Freo star Michael Walters missed Freo’s 57-point win over Carlton in round 11 due to suspension and the Dockers' leading goalkicker looms as the danger man for the Blues. Walters has climbed 20 spots on the Schick AFL Player Ratings leaderboard to 56th overall in the past four weeks.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … 
A loss to the rampaging Giants was one thing, but third-year Blues coach Brendon Bolton will come under all sorts of pressure if he can't inspire a much more competitive display against Fremantle.