Fremantle are renowned for having one of the most miserly defensive units in the competition – and statistics prove that they’re the hardest team to score against.
The Dockers have conceded just 846 points this season (an average of just 70 points per game) which is the least in the AFL.
This figure is even more remarkable when you consider that Fremantle uncharacteristically conceded 137 points against Hawthorn during a rare ‘off night’ at the MCG back in Round Three.
In their six matches at Patersons Stadium in 2014, the Dockers average just 56.8 points against per game.
In fact, only once have they conceded double-figure goals at home this season – and that was in their loss to North Melbourne when the Kangaroos managed 10.14 (74).
The Brisbane Lions, meanwhile, are currently the third lowest scoring side in the AFL – marginally ahead of both St Kilda and Melbourne.
And without leading goal-kicker Jonathan Brown, you would think that goals will be hard to come by this Saturday evening.
But Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch isn’t expecting a shoot-out, and believes his young side is prepared for what promises to be a dour struggle against one of the competition’s most disciplined teams.
“They’re a very hard team to score against, so that frustrates you. When you get frustrated within games, often you make mistakes. That’s sort of their legacy – that’s what they do,” Leppitsch said.
“We’ve spoken about that and have to try and stay in the game as long as we can.
“We know it’s not going to be a week we’re going to kick 20 goals – that’s just the way it’s going to be. We have to stay in the contest.”
Lions expect Freo squeeze
No team has scored more than 10 goals against Freo in Perth this season