Brisbane Lions v Fremantle
3.35pm (AEST), Saturday, February 24
South Pine Sports Complex
The Brisbane Lions host the Fremantle Dockers at South Pine Sports Complex tomorrow in a crucial battle as both teams look to stay at the pointy end of the ladder.
The Lions' only loss of the year came against the Western Bulldogs at South Pine in Round 2.
Coach Craig Starcevich believes the condensed nature of the season makes every remaining game a must-win scenario, with the Lions and the Dockers sitting equal first with three other clubs on two wins.
"The nature of the competition has been so even; no games are a given," Starcevich told 3AW’s Sportsday.
"The seven-game season makes every week feel like a final.
"We’ve got five teams at the top (on 2-1). Now it gets down to the nitty-gritty part of the year where you start knocking down challengers."
The Lions will be without its Round 3 NAB
The Dockers, despite a lacklustre performance in Round 1, have won two on the trot, against the winless Collingwood and premiership fancy Melbourne.
But they are wary of the Lions, who want to make amends after finishing runner-up last season.
"[It’ll be] a pretty open game. They're a running [focused] … side and so are we," midfielder Hayley Miller said.
"It will be a good challenge for us. They were in the Grand Final last year so they have a point to prove to try and get back.
"But we’re [here] to try and stop them."
Fremantle recalled Stacey Barr after she missed last week's game against the Dees through suspension, with key position player Gemma Houghton making way.
The Dockers also promoted rookie Jade de Melo to its main list, replacing midfielder Brianna Green, who tore her ACL at training two weeks ago.
Gates open at 1.30pm tomorrow and entry is free.
