<p>Saturday footy begins up on the Gold Coast as the Suns host the Fremantle Dockers.</p> <p>Haven’t the Suns had a week… Some might even call it the week that this footy club finally grew a backbone.</p> <p>They did the job against the Saints at Marvel relatively comfortably, but it was the pre-game “nepo baby” barb from St Kilda coach Ross Lyon that has lingered and become the story.</p> <p>The back and forth between the coaches before and after the game and then the CEO getting on the attack calling the remark ‘offensive’, it’s certainly been a big week for the Suns. At least now, they’re playing a brand of footy on the field that they can back up their big fighting words off it. Something this club hasn’t been able to do previously.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers backed up their big win against the Giants a week earlier by brushing aside Port Adelaide at home in inclement conditions.&nbsp;</p> <p>The big win got the Dockers ahead of the ledger and now find themselves just outside the top eight on percentage. They’re in ninth place as one of four teams at 6-5.</p> <p>So, as they embark on the longest road trip in footy, it becomes a game that could really set them up as they head into their bye, and really prime themselves to launch into the second half of the year with momentum.</p> <p>The Suns will need to make one forced change with star defender Mac Andrew unable to finish the game against the Saints with a foot injury. While thankfully, it doesn’t look like he will be spending as much time on the sidelines as initially feared, he will still miss some footy.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s opened the door for the long-awaited debut of the latest Gold Coast academy prospect Leo Lombard. After an injury in the pre-season, he will finally play his first game in the AFL side after being selected at pick nine in the draft. Just to rub it into the Saints that little bit more.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers will learn at the tribunal if they will be without their skipper Alex Pearce for the next three weeks or not after his hit on Darcy Byrne-Jones against Port Adelaide last week. They will need to make another forced change though after Cooper Simpson injured his shoulder and will miss about 10 weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Suns vs Dockers prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Fremantle Predicted Teams</h2> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Wil Powell, Sam Collins, Bodhi Uwland</p> <p>HB: John Noble, Sean Lemmens, Daniel Rioli</p> <p>C: Sam Clohesy, Matt Rowell, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jed Walter, Bailey Humphrey</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Sam Flanders</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Nick Holman, Leo Lombard, David Swallow, Joel Jeffrey, Malcolm Rosas</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fremantle Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Karl Worner</p> <p>HB: Jordan Clark, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman</p> <p>C: Jeremy Sharp, Shai Bolton, Matt Johnson</p> <p>HF: Michael Fredrick, Pat Voss, Murphy Reid</p> <p>F: Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy, Sam Switkowski</p> <p>Foll: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw</p> <p>Int: Neil Erasmus, Josh Draper, Isaiah Dudley, Corey Wagner, Bailey Banfield&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Fremantle Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Freo have had the better of the Suns in the recent head-to-head which includes three of the last five matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers lead the overall head-to-head 10-5, but the Dockers have not won a game up at Carrara since 2015.&nbsp;</p> <p>This game will be played between the arcs, with both teams strong on capitalising on turnover this year (Suns ranked second and Dockers ranked sixth).&nbsp; The Suns have the advantage, ranking second for defensive 50 chains to attacking 50, and are best in the competition at chains to scoring. This is largely aided by the distribution from recruits Dan Rioli and Johnny Noble who have revolutionized the Suns’ ball movement.</p> <p>The Dockers are finally getting the Shai Bolton they thought they had&nbsp;recruited from the Tigers. He has shown off his damaging best over the past three weeks and has been a key factor in the Docker's form uptick in recent weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers proved against the Giants that they are indeed capable of traveling and winning, but the trip to the Gold Coast is a different challenge for visiting teams in recent times.</p> <p>We’re with the home side here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-fremantle-9229218">Suns</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Get the trumpets started early because Ben Long has been playing some All-Australian quality footy in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s kicked Seven goals from his past two games, he’ll be looking to continue his strong form, early against the Dockers.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-fremantle-9229218">Ben Long</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Suns halfback John Noble is right in the conversation for recruit of the season.</p> <p>With the Suns feeding him as he begins their forward forays, look for him to get another stack of it. He got 30 last start at People First Stadium, we think he’ll go big again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-fremantle-9229218">John Noble 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Fremantle Dockers Match Details</h2> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, May 31st</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 1:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> People First Stadium, Gold Coast</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>