SUMMARY

North Melbourne is the next challenger to step up to the plate and attempt what no interstate team has been able to do since Sydney in round one by knocking over a WA club at Optus Stadium, this Sunday against Fremantle. The in-form Kangaroos will back themselves, too, after an impressive thumping of Greater Western Sydney, a close loss to Richmond and a tight win over the Swans at the SCG in recent weeks. With Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown in outstanding touch, a lockdown tagger in Ben Jacobs who could target Nat Fyfe and a watertight defence (AFL No.1), North shapes as the toughest opponent the Dockers have faced at home, not including West Coast in the round six Western Derby. With their season teetering at 4-5, the Dockers will be desperate to defend their home turf after another disappointing road loss against the Swans.

WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, May 27, 2.40pm AWST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES

R16, 2017, Fremantle 3.8 (86) d North Melbourne 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium

R5, 2017, Fremantle 9.13 (67) d North Melbourne 9.8 (62) at Subiaco Oval

R4, 2016, North Melbourne 20.12 (132) d Fremantle 14.17 (101) at Etihad Stadium

R21, 2015, North Melbourne 14.10 (94) d Fremantle 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium

R8, 2015, Fremantle 17.13 (115) d North Melbourne 5.12 (42) at Subiaco Oval

THE SIX POINTS

1. Fremantle won both of last year's contests through late goals. In round five, Shane Kersten snapped a major at the 30-minute mark and in round 16 debutant Ryan Nyhuis was the match-winner, slotting his fourth with five minutes left to play.

2. The Kangaroos have jumped out of the blocks in first quarters this year (+80 points), while opening terms have been Freo's only positive quarter (+18).

3. Not much separates the sides recently with three wins each from the past six matches. There have been some tight finishes too, with four games decided by less than three goals.

4. North Melbourne has surprised many by notching five victories and the Roos' success is built on a rock-solid foundation of defence. Brad Scott's men are conceding just 71 points, ranked No.1 in the AFL.

5. Fremantle continues to be meek on the road but mighty at home. The Dockers have lost all four games interstate – with 31 points against the Giants the closest margin - but are four wins from five games at Optus Stadium, where they average 96 points.

6. Ben Cunnington has surged to the brink of the top-10 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after a stunning start to the year. The North onballer has climbed 21 spots to 14thoverall and is averaging 6.9 clearances per game.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …

Ben Jacobs. Dockers superstar Nat Fyfe stands between the Kangaroos and their chances of notching a victory at Optus Stadium. Fyfe has probably polled top votes in four of the Dockers' five home games and North's lockdown tagger will have his hands full.

PREDICTION: Fremantle by four points