Where and when: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 25 July, 1.10pm
Head to head: Western Bulldogs 12 wins, Fremantle 7 wins
Last time: Western Bulldogs 17.9 (111) d Fremantle 11.14 (80), round 18, 2009, at Etihad Stadium

MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Mitch Hahn (hamstring) - 1 week
Barry Hall (ankle) - test
Will Minson (ankle) - test
Eddie Prato (quad) - 2 weeks
Sam Reid (shoulder) - season
Brennan Stack (hamstring) - 3 weeks
Shane Thorne (knee) - 5 weeks

Fremantle
Michael Barlow (leg) - season
Antoni Grover (hamstring) - test
Des Headland (knee) - test
Chris Mayne (ankle) - test
Chris Tarrant (heel) - test

FORM
Western Bulldogs: WWLWW
Fremantle: LWWLW

SUMMARY
This match is a battle for fourth spot on the AFL ladder. Form indicates that the Bulldogs are in the box-seat to win, but with a long trek home from Darwin it could make things harder. Both teams will be desperate to win, considering the advantage of having a double chance in September provides, and with the Bulldogs being only one game behind Mark Harvey’s men and having a much healthier percentage this match is crucial. Fremantle will be buoyed by the likely return of Chris Tarrant, who will man up on Barry Hall, who is certain to return after ankle soreness. The match will provide an insight into which team can challenge come September, and provides a massive test of Fremantle’s mettle.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Barry Hall is returning from injury and still looking a chance to claim this year's Coleman Medal. Chris Tarrant has been out for the past three weeks with a heel injury and will have his work cut for him trying to stop Hall.

After two quiet games, Matthew Pavlich will be looking to have a major impact on the game. Dale Morris is the natural match-up for him but may not have the engine to go with him through the midfield.

QUESTION MARKS
Will the Jason Akermanis issue affect the bulldogs?  The sacking of Akermanis will either galvanise the team or be yet another distraction.

Will Aaron Sandilands get the protection Mark Harvey was after, or will he have to hire UFC champion Brock Lesnar as wrestling coach?
 
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
The Bulldogs are in the box-seat to win this contest, with Fremantle’s midfield depth becoming an issue against the seasoned Dogs’ outfit. The fact that Fremantle was humbled by Richmond last time out at Etihad Stadium has the signs pointing to a Bulldog victory.

PREDICTION:
Western Bulldogs by 28 points.

Chat with host Jennifer Witham and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 12.40pm this Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afldogsfreo.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.