Fremantle Dockers seek to stay leaders while Brisbane Lions rebound

Fremantle Dockers have extended their winning run to a club‑record ten games and sit top of the AFL ladder (10‑1). Coach Justin Longmuir downplays Brisbane’s recent 78‑point loss to GWS, calling the 14‑goal third quarter “an anomaly”. The Dockers travel to the Gabba for a showdown with the defending premiers, despite missing midfielder Hayden Young with a concussion and Caleb Serong sidelined by a calf injury. Skipper Alex Pearce returns after a knee injury, and ruckman Sean Darcy is working his way back through the WAFL.

Brisbane Lions, now 6‑5, are trying to recover from that “disaster” quarter. Coach Chris Fagan said the team held an honest meeting, noting, “You wanted to see honesty in the meetings… there was a lot of truth told, which was great.” The Lions have also brought back Jarrod Berry (calf) and Noah Answerth (concussion) while giving VFL‑standout Cody Curtin a call‑up.

In Fremantle, Mayor Ben Lawver urged the return of both the Dockers men’s and women’s teams to Fremantle Oval, lamenting that “Freo fans… won’t be able to attend games at their spiritual home.” He said a business case for oval redevelopment is being prepared, hoping funding will enable the teams to come back.