<p>The Swans have shown they still have some shots to fire this season, but is it all too late?</p> <p>After coming up short against the Dogs at home last week, it looks as if they are running out of their final chances to make a meaningful dart at the finals this season.</p> <p>As unlikely as it may seem now, it’s worth remembering that Hawthorn came from further back this time last season to make it and even went on to win a final. So it’s not without precedent that it could happen, but it would take something silly. Especially with the way this footy season has panned out, with the gap between the good and the bad.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their opponents this week, Fremantle, are powering towards the finals and even eyeing off a top-four finish. Six wins in a row now, the latest coming when they overran St Kilda at home, are answering all the different questions they are being posed by opposition and pundits alike about their credentials this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>At 10-5, they look like the team they were built up to be in the pre-season. They sit outside the top-four only on percentage and have a golden chance to take a step towards it before they run into like types in the next fortnight when they play the Hawks and the Magpies.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will have happy memories of the last time they visited the SCG last time too, dominating for the whole day before holding onto a one-point win after a wayward Logan McDonald shot after the siren.&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfortunately, most of the build-up to the game this week has been the state of the SCG turf and the waiting game to see whether it will be fit for purpose on Sunday. All we can do is cross our fingers that it doesn’t get too chopped up and muddy in the rain bomb that has hit Sydney this week, and no one gets seriously hurt on it.</p> <p>On a selection front, the Swans will lose a pair of defenders with Aaron Francis and Dane Rampe through suspension and injury, but that will be slightly offset by the return of Tom McCartin. Joel Amartey is also hopeful of returning after a minor hamstring issue kept him out of the Dogs game.</p> <p>Peter Ladhams, Riley Bice, and Corey Warner all played well in the VFL to give Dean Cox some options.&nbsp;</p> <p>At Freo, veteran Nat Fyfe didn’t even make it onto the ground as the starting sub last week after injuring his calf and was unable to be used, so he will come out of the side.&nbsp;</p> <p>Skipper Alex Pearce appears as if he is finally set to return, but will need to get through training this week. Jaeger O’Meara also needs to pass a fitness test and seems the most like-for-like option for Fyfe.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Swans vs Dockers prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Fremantle Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nick Blakey, Tom McCartin, Harry Cunningham</p> <p>HB: Jake Lloyd, Lewis Melican, Sam Wicks</p> <p>C: Justin McInerney, Chad Warner, Erroll Gulden</p> <p>HF: Callum Mills, Hayden McLean, Will Hayward</p> <p>F: Tom Papley, Joel Amartey, James Jordon</p> <p>Foll: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, James Rowbottom</p> <p>Int: Jack Buller, Angus Sheldrick, Ollie Florent, Matt Roberts, Corey Warner</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fremantle Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Bailey Banfield</p> <p>HB: Karl Worner, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark</p> <p>C: Matt Johnson, Corey Wagner, Nathan O’Driscoll</p> <p>HF: Murphy Reid, Patrick Voss, Shai Bolton</p> <p>F: Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy, Michael Fredrick</p> <p>Foll: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw</p> <p>Int: Neil Erasmus, Oscar McDonald, Sean Darcy, Isaiah Dudley, Jeremy Sharp</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Fremantle Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>It's an even split on the head-to-head between these two from the last 10 matches, split at five wins apiece.</p> <p>The Swans claimed the win earlier in the season at Optus Stadium when both clubs were struggling to get going at the start of the season. Despite their change of fortunes and holding on for their sixth win in a row last week, the Saints scare would have been a wake-up call for the Dockers.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers' profile over the past five weeks has been top-six in the competition. They have the third-best defence in that time, but remain mid-table for offence.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s funny how when you get some of your best offensive weapons back on your side, you look heaps better on offence and more dangerous and look like scoring. That’s the Swans over the past two weeks.</p> <p>The Dockers are the better team on paper and form, but are still prone to some Fremantle-isms and dropping games they shouldn’t. This is certainly one of them. Especially with the Swans looking to throw absolutely everything they have at the final eight weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-fremantle-9366246">Dockers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>I know the turf at the SCG has been the biggest issue of the week, but if Isaac Heeney could pack it up and take it everywhere he goes, he might not put a foot wrong on a footy field ever.&nbsp;</p> <p>He rarely does at the moment, though. Eight goals from the last three games there, he loves it at home. He’s our tip for the first goal.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-fremantle-9366246">Isaac Heeney</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>It was a rare miss for Caleb Serong last week. Held to just 18 disposals in a three-season low for the superstar mid.&nbsp;</p> <p>We don’t think that will ever happen again. In fact, we fear the response for the Swans. We’re looking at him to bounce back in a big, big way.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-fremantle-9366246">Caleb Serong 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date</strong>: Sunday, July 6, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce</strong>: 1:10 PM AEST</p> <p><strong>Location</strong>: SCG, Sydney</p> <p><strong>How to watch</strong>: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>