Round 24 of the AFL season delivers a Saturday afternoon fixture where both sides already know roughly where they're headed, which makes the team sheets the most interesting document of the week.

Carlton have their place in the Wildcard Finals Round locked away, sealed by an 82-82 draw with the Bulldogs on Sunday. Patrick Cripps was enormous with 34 disposals and Sam Walsh wasn't far behind on 33.

The mid-season turnaround has been beautiful to watch, and Josh has now been confirmed as the club's permanent coach on a three-year deal.

Sitting 10th heading into the final round, the Blues are on track for a Wildcard trip, likely to Adelaide to face the Crows.

Fremantle arrive as minor premiers for the second time in the club's history, having wrapped it up with a 112-88 win over Adelaide last Friday. A home qualifying final secured and a week off for Wildcard weekend changes how they’ll approach this matchup.

We’re thinking the Dockers will be wanting to give solid game time to their stars, because heading into a qualifying final after a fortnight off might not be the ideal prep.

The last meeting went Freo’s way, 103-89 at Optus Stadium in Round 7. This time its 10th vs 1st under the roof at Marvel.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our Carlton Blues vs Fremantle Dockers Round 24 prediction and preview below.

Carlton Blues vs Fremantle Dockers Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The Blues' charge to this point of the season has been epic, and seeing them willingly play for a draw was something I'm not sure I've ever witnessed at AFL level. But a draw was all they needed to secure their place in the 10, and they took it.

From awful to awesome, with quantum shifts in performance across individuals and in the way the team has gone about it. Marvel Stadium has become a mini-fortress along the way, with Blues fans more than happy to pack out the roofed arena and get behind their boys.

The line-ups will again be the story. Fremantle have sewn up that home qualifying final, but the Wildcard weekend hands them a break regardless, so they'll likely arrive here at full capacity.

From a Blues perspective, resting a few seems the likely outcome. Cripps, Walsh, big Harry and young Jagga could all do with the week off before the big one.

Take four of your best out of any side and the margin looks after itself.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 30 points (given the Blues resting a few).

First Goal Scorer Prediction

Fremantle's forward line has two clear options for scoring points and have all season. Not knowing who will be rested, we’re expecting whoever runs out of these two to be the first goal scorer.

Jye Amiss kicked five last Friday against Adelaide, so he's the one with the hot hand, but Treacy is the more reliable early target when the Dockers are looking to establish something in their first few entries.

Against a Carlton defence that may be missing personnel; either of these blokes are likely to slot the first one.

Betting tip: Josh Treacy or Jye Amiss.

Most Disposals Prediction

Again, a hard call when we don't yet know who's being managed, but that uncertainty is exactly what makes Serong the play.

With Carlton likely to rest key midfielders in Cripps and Walsh, the contest through the middle tilts heavily Fremantle's way.

Serong doesn't need much of an invitation at the best of times and he's coming off 29 disposals and 12 clearances against the Crows.

A full-strength Dockers midfield against a depleted one gets the better of this contest, and Serong will be the biggest beneficiary.

Betting tip: Caleb Serong.

AFL Same Game Multi Tips

Betting tip: Andrew Brayshaw 25+ disposals, Fremantle Dockers by 1-39, Shai Bolton 23+ disposals, Mason Cox anytime goal scorer.

*Odds are subject to change.

Carlton Blues vs Fremantle Dockers Predicted Teams

Carlton Blues Predicted Team List

FB: Billy Wilson, Jacob Weitering, Lachlan Cowan

HB: Oliver Florent, Harry Dean, Nic Newman

C: Adam Cerra, George Hewett, Will Hayward

HF: Ben Ainsworth,Mitch McGovern, Talor Byrne

FF: Francis Evans, Brodie Kemp, Blake Acres

FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Matthew Carroll, Sam Walsh

I/C: Nick Haynes, Flynn Young, Cooper Lord, Matthew Cottrell, Wade Derksen

Fremantle Dockers Predicted Team List

FB: Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce, Heath Chapman

HB: Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan, Oscar McDonald

C: Matthew Johnson, Andrew Brayshaw, Neil Erasmus

HF: Michael Frederick, Isaiah Dudley, Sam Switkowski

FF: Patrick Voss, Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy

FOLL: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Shai Bolton

I/C: Karl Worner, Nathan O'Driscoll, Hayden Young, Christopher Scerri, Mason Cox

Carlton Blues vs Fremantle Dockers Match Details

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026.

First Bounce: 1:15pm AEST

Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

How to Watch: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports