<p>The mid-season revival of the Purple Haze has the Flagmantle dream back on track!&nbsp;</p> <p>With four wins in a row and safely back in the top-eight, Fremantle has gotten itself together after some patchy early-season form and is back in the conversation of contenders for 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>It wasn’t pretty at times, and they faced challenges late from a spirited North Melbourne team, but they managed to cross the line in an ‘away’ game at Optus Stadium.&nbsp;</p> <p>They now have a golden opportunity to extend their winning streak when they host a depleted Essendon at home on Thursday night.</p> <p>It was another challenging night for the Bombers. Following their commendable efforts in the previous two weeks against the Lions and Carlton, they were outmatched by a powerful Geelong side, who overwhelmed them by a staggering 95 points. However, Bomber fans at least get a glimpse of their next generation as the young players take the field.</p> <p>Despite a tough season, the ongoing unavailability of players continues to create opportunities for the Dons. They have already announced that they will unveil their 11th debutant of the season; young ruckman Vigo Visentini will receive his first sash on Thursday night.&nbsp;</p> <p>Mid-season recruit Liam McMahon maintained his impressive form in the VFL with another four goals as he inches closer to his first AFL chance. Simultaneously, veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel did his chances of a recall no harm with a strong performance.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers will be hoping their captain Alex Pearce will be fit to return after a month-long absence due to a lower leg injury. Small forward Sam Switkowski will also need to be replaced after injuring his hamstring against the Roos.&nbsp;</p> <p>Of course, the Dockers will need no reminders of what happened last time these teams met. A last-gasp, one-point defeat at the MCG on the final stretch last season became the defining moment in their collapse to miss the finals.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will be determined to ensure that doesn’t happen again.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dockers vs Dons prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Essendon 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: Jeremy Sharp, Shai Bolton, Matt Johnson</p> <p>HF: Michael Fredrick, Jye Amiss, Murphy Reid&nbsp;</p> <p>F: Patrick Voss, Josh Treacy, Luke Jackson</p> <p>Foll: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw</p> <p>Int: Neil Erasmus, Corey Wagner, Bailey Banfield, Nat Fyfe, Nathan O’Driscoll</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Andy McGrath, Jayden Laverde, Archie Roberts</p> <p>HB: Jade Gresham, Will Setterfield, Jaxon Prior</p> <p>C: Xavier Duursma, Zach Merrett, Angus Clarke</p> <p>HF: Nic Martin, Nate Caddy, Lachie Blakiston</p> <p>F: Archer May, Peter Wright, Isaac Kako</p> <p>Foll: Todd Goldstein, Jye Caldwell, Matt Guelfi</p> <p>Int: Zak Johnson, Darcy Parish, Archer Day-Wicks, Luamon Lual, Archie Perkins</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Essendon Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Bombers have enjoyed recent success over the Dockers in recent times, winning six of the past 10 clashes head-to-head.&nbsp;</p> <p>The impressive H2H record will be no doubt fuelling the Bombers this week despite their inferior overall form. They also travel with the knowledge that the Dockers were a couple of moments of individual brilliance away from losing the game to North, having conceded five goals in a row in the fourth quarter.</p> <p>However, it would take something remarkable for the Bombers to pull it off in their current state and against this version of the Dockers. The Dockers are the second-best team over the past five weeks at limiting opposition shots at goal and chains to score. They are also third for points against over that period, which points to their defence being in sync - despite the absence of their captain.&nbsp;</p> <p>We expect Freo to handle their business here quite efficiently.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-essendon-9296625">Dockers</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Here’s a chance for the ‘Big Cohuna’ Josh Treacy to find some form.</p> <p>No goals in his past three matches after exploding in the early weeks of the season, He’ll get a favourable mismatch (cos the Bombers don’t have many tall defenders at the moment) that he should exploit if he gets good service.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-essendon-9296625">Josh Treacy</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>One of the best things to come from this season for the Bombers is that crisis has led to opportunities. First-year Don Archie Roberts has taken him with both hands, winning plenty of the ball across halfback and the wings.&nbsp;</p> <p>We’re backing him to top the list this week, and finally get that rising star nomination!</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-essendon-9296625">Archie Roberts 30+ disposals</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle Dockers vs Essendon Bombers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Thursday, June 19, 2025.</p> <p><strong>First bounce:</strong> 8:10pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Optus Stadium, Perth.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>