Rourke Walsh: High risks and high rewards for Fremantle as season goes on the line against Geelong

For Fremantle, the equation is simple. Win against Geelong at Optus Stadium on Saturday and they vault back into the top-four and with momentum to carry into a tough final two home and away matches against fourth-placed GWS (ENGIE Stadium) and third-placed Port Adelaide (Optus Stadium). Lose, however, and they could not only slide eighth, but the pressure would then be right on to make finals altogether against finals bound opponents. Missing September for a second straight season after winning a final in 2022 would be a catastrophic end to a season that at times promised so much. Victory over Sydney at the SCG, Brisbane at home in round one and the demolition of Melbourne in Alice Springs has the Flagmantle bandwagon rapidly gathering speed. But equally, of the Dockers seven losses and a draw this season, it is hard to argue there weren’t a few that got away. Jordan Clark’s brain fade against Carlton in Gather Round helped end a three-game winning streak to start the season. And losses to Port Adelaide (three points in round five), Hawthorn (13 points in round 18) and Essendon in (one point in round 21) despite leading late in the final quarter of each hurt. Not to mention the diabolical losses to West Coast (37 points in round 6) and the Western Bulldogs (67 points in round 14) and the draw against an injury crippled Collingwood at home in round 11. The Dockers will face the Cats without key bookends Alex Pearce and Josh Treacy, who are injured. And their midfield will still be smarting from a clearing belting against the Bombers last week, including the vital final centre break which led to Sam Durham kicking the match-winning point. But in these pressure situations, good teams just win.