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Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Tips & Preview - Swans to falter in must-win AFL showdown

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 04 Jul 2025

Adam Cusworth 04 Jul 2025

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Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 17 AFL game
Fremantle aims for seven straight wins against the Swans
Caleb Serong & Will Hayward are key players

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Fremantle Dockers (Getty Images)

Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Preview
Head to Head
Sydney Swans Form
Sydney Swans Team News
Sydney Swans Team List
Fremantle Dockers Form
Fremantle Dockers Team News
Fremantle Dockers Team List

Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

The two sides have fought out some cliffhangers in the past year and there is plenty on the line with Fremantle out to make it seven wins in a row. The Swans need to win, but I'm liking the Dockers as the bet with a start.

Freo have won their last two against the Swans at the SCG
Caleb Serong is averaging 28.5 disposals this season and has had 30+ in two of his past three
Will Hayward has kicked 11 goals for the Swans in his past four matches against Fremantle
The Dockers past two interstate games have resulted in wins over GWS and the Gold Coast

Head to Head

The two sides met in Round 2 this season at Optus Stadium and it was a three-point win for Sydney. Chad Warner picked up 26 disposals for the Swans, while Josh Treacy kicked four goals for Fremantle.

The Dockers were one-point winners over Sydney at the SCG last season with Logan McDonald missing a shot on goal after the siren. Freo have won their last two against the Swans at the venue.

Sydney Swans Form

Sydney have won two of their past three matches. Wins came against Richmond and Port Adelaide before the tight loss to the Western Bulldogs. The Swans have a win-loss record of just 2-5 at their home ground in 2025.

The Swans have welcomed back a host of key players from injury in recent times, including Errol Gulden, who picked up 30 disposals in the loss against the Bulldogs, as well as Tom Papley, who kicked two goals. Isaac Heeney snagged four majors.

Goalkicking has been an issue for the Swans due to the injuries to key forwards, having to rely on their midfielders to sneak down to score. Heeney leads their goalkicking table with 22 this season, while Will Hayward has kicked 20.

Sydney Swans Team News

Tom Papley pulled up with calf tightness from the Bulldogs match and will be assessed at training. Tom McCartin was a late withdrawal with illness prior to that match and will come straight back in. Robbie Fox is expected to be available to return from injury.

Sydney Swans Team List

B: L.Melican, T.McCartin, H.Cunningham

HB: C.Mills - C, N.Blakey, S.Wicks

C: J.Lloyd, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden

HF: J.McInerney, W.Hayward, T.Papley

F: B.Campbell, J.Amartey, H.McLean

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Jordon

I/C (FROM): M.Roberts, A.Sheldrick, J.Rowbottom, J.Hamling, R.Bice, O.Florent, J.Buller, P.Ladhams

Fremantle Dockers Form

Fremantle have won six matches in a row. The past three of those have been at Optus Stadium but the streak includes wins on the road against finals candidates, GWS and the Gold Coast Suns.

The Dockers rank 16th for disposals in the past five rounds but are 3rd for efficiency. They have defended well in recent times, ranking 3rd for fewest inside 50s conceded and 5th for fewest points conceded.

Caleb Serong was kept to just 19 disposals when tagged last weekend but had 35+ in his two matches prior to that. Jordan Clark picked up the slack with 31 disposals in the Saints win.

Josh Treacy kicked three goals and has kicked six in the past two rounds. Luke Jackson is a player to watch and has had an impact in the ruck and up forward in recent weeks.

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Nat Fyfe is unlikely to be available due to a calf complaint. Alex Pearce, Sam Switkowski and Sam Sturt are just about ready to return from injury.

Fremantle Dockers Team List

B: L.Ryan, B.Cox, A.Pearce - C

HB: H.Chapman, K.Worner, J.Clark

C: M.Johnson, C.Wagner, N.O’Driscoll

HF: M.Reid, M.Frederick, L.Jackson

F: S.Bolton, J.Treacy, J.Amiss

FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw

I/C (FROM): J.O’Meara, J.Aish, J.Sharp, P.Voss, O.McDonald, N.Erasmus, B.Banfield, I.Dudley

Verdict

Sydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle to go close in a tight one. Serong in for a big game. Will Hayward amongst the goals for the Swans.

Fremantle +7.5

Handicap -7.5

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