<p>Fear not, footy fans! There's another Friday night game this week.</p> <p>If you can power through the first half of the Dons vs Saints double-header, the second game is well worth sticking around for. This one’s shaping up to be an absolute ripper.</p> <p>Fremantle take on the Brisbane Lions in a finals-shaping clash at Optus Stadium — and the stakes here? Yeah, they’re pretty huge.</p> <p>The Dockers have won 11 of their last 12, and while they’ve left it late in a few of those, including last week’s thriller against Port, they’re quickly building a reputation as the clutch kings of 2025.</p> <p>Skipper Alex Pearce returned in style, channeling his coach’s glory days with a huge contested mark and goal that launched Freo into the top four.</p> <p>Meanwhile, things are getting a little dicey for the Lions.</p> <p>After cruising through much of the season in second gear, they now find themselves at risk of missing the finals altogether. A shock loss to the Swans continued their up-and-down form and pushed them out of the top four for the first time since Round two. With tough games against Freo and Hawthorn to finish the home-and-away season — and the top nine teams packed in tight — there’s a scenario now where they could be the unlucky ones to fall short.</p> <p>Much like last year, Brisbane might be skating on thin ice... but maybe that’s when they’re at their best?</p> <p>Both teams have tricky runs home, and both need just one more win to lock in a finals spot. This game could be the one that decides who makes it — and who misses out.</p> <p>At the selection, Freo will give Hayden Young every chance to prove his fitness before September. Corey Wagner got his hands on plenty of the ball in the WAFL on managed minutes and is in the mix, though he might find himself just outside the team. Probably because of a bloke with the last name Fyfe.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the Lions, they could welcome back some key defenders. Ryan Lester has cleared concussion protocols, and Brandon Starcevich is back training after his late withdrawal against Sydney.</p> <p>Also, could big Oscar McInerney return to take on Freo’s dual-ruck combo? That might be on the cards too.</p> <p>For all the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our full Dockers vs Lions preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Brisbane Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fremantle Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Karl Worner</p> <p>HB: Heath Chapman, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark</p> <p>C: Jaeger O’Meara, Shai Bolton, Nathan O’Driscoll</p> <p>HF: Sam Switkowski, Pat Voss, Murphy Reid</p> <p>F: Michael Fredrick, Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss</p> <p>Foll: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw</p> <p>Int: Isaiah Dudley, Sean Darcy, Bailey Banfield, Nat Fyfe, Hayden Young</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Dayne Zorko, Darcy Gardiner, Tom Doedee</p> <p>HB: Darcy Wilmot, Harris Andrews, Ryan Lester</p> <p>C: Jaspa Fletcher, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry</p> <p>HF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Zac Bailey</p> <p>F: Cam Rayner, Logan Morris, Callum Ah Chee</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Fort, Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft</p> <p>Int: Levi Ashcroft, Sam Marshall, Henry Smith, Will McLachlan, Brandon Starcevich</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Brisbane Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Lions hold sway in the recent head-to-head over the Dockers, winning seven of the past 10 clashes.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve become accustomed to performing well away from home, with three of those wins coming at Optus Stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers have a strong record this year against fellow contenders, with the fewest defeats among the rest of the top nine teams this year.</p> <p>And, despite a couple of slip-ups early in the year, they have been hard to get past at home, especially when the ‘Wharfie time’ alarm sounds. Code for them to be clutch.</p> <p>We think they’ll be good enough to do the job at home here. Setting up some pretty big matches for next week.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-brisbane-lions-9480897">Dockers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He’s among the favourites for the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-rising-star">AFL Rising Star</a> this year for a reason. Murphy Reid is having an unbelievable first season at the level.</p> <p>Two goals last week against the Power, including a freakish dribbler from the boundary, he can certainly activate a crowd. We’re backing him to do so here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-brisbane-lions-9480897">Murphy Reid</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>There’s no Lachie Neale for the rest of the home-and-away season, which means more young Lions need to come to the party here.&nbsp;</p> <p>Will Ashcroft has had another very good season and stepped up last week with 31 disposals in the absence of his skipper, and will likely get more time on the inside this week.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s our pick for most touches this week.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-brisbane-lions-9480897">Will Ashcroft 30+ disposals.&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle Dockers vs Brisbane Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, August 15, 2025.</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 8:20pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Optus Stadium, Perth.</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p>