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Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL Round 5 Tips - Freo flex at Gather round

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: Thu 09 Apr 2026 11:49

In the upcoming AFL Round 5 clash, the Fremantle Dockers are expected to achieve a strong win over the Collingwood Magpies, boosting their premiership stakes. Despite Fremantle's impressive form, including a gutsy win against Adelaide, Collingwood struggles with injuries. Analysts predict that Fremantle's forward momentum, led by Caleb Serong's midfield dominance, will be too much for the injury-plagued Magpies. Fremantle is favored to cover the 10.5 point line with Caleb Serong expected to deliver more than 30 disposals.

Jeremy Darke 09 Apr 2026
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  • Fremantle Dockers expected to secure a strong win over Collingwood.
  • Caleb Serong to lead with over 30 disposals in midfield.
  • Collingwood faces challenges due to injuries and unsettled form.
  • The game will be played at Adelaide Oval on Friday, 10th April, with the bounce at 7:40 PM (AEDT)
Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL Round 5 Tips

Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers, Round 5 2026 - Expert Prediction


The Dockers will continue to push their premierships stakes with a strong win over Collingwood on Friday night at Gather Round. 
The Dockers took a gutsy win against Adelaide in Round 4 showing to many that they are ready to take the next level with their third consecutive victory. Collingwood on the other hand suffered without Josh Daicos and Darcy Moore and were belted by the Lions. 

The Magpies start to the season has been unsettled and injury riddled, while the Dockers are looking as sharp as they ever have been. Collingwood continue to struggle to put up enough points to contend with the top sides in the competition, while Fremantle have started the season on the attack and look best when they are forcing the ball forward and have early cracks on goal. 

That will be the difference in the match, Fremantle will have too much forward movement for the injured Pies to contain. Caleb Serong will continue to be the catalyst through the middle of the ground for Fremantle and as simple as it gets, the Dockers will put up too many points for Collingwood to compete. 

Back Fremantle’s defence to contain the forward movement of Collingwood, holding them to under 82.5 points, and covering the line as the 10.5 point favourite.

  • Fremantle have won their last 3 matches.
  • Fremantle Dockers averaging 95.4 pts vs Collingwood Magpies's 76.4 pts over last 5
  • Fremantle Dockers have conceded an average of 63 points in their last 3 matches.
  • Caleb Serong has had 30+ disposals in 3 of 4 matches this season

Head to Head Stats


Fremantle got their first win in 6 matches against Collingwood in Round 19 last season kicking the final 4 goals of the game to pip the Pies 79-78 at the MCG. The Pies took out the Round 9 contest comfortable 97-83. 

No trends coming out of the head to head matches with margins and overs and unders varying.

Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis


After doing a number on the Giants in Round 3 the Pies got a good gauge of where they sit after getting cleaned up by Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night, going down 119-65. 

Already missing Darcy Moore, Collingwood were hit with a late blow with Nick Daicos unable to start after succumbing to a calf injury in the warm up. Daicos is expected to be fully fit at Gather Round, however it is unsettling for the Pies that their star is not one hundred percent fit.

With their backline under injury clouds and their forward line not producing points since the middle of last season the Pies need their midfield fully fit. They were dominated by Brisbane with 115 less disposals in the match and 19 fear inside 50s. Clearances were also a huge factor in their loss freeing up just 24 times to the Lions 42. 

Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis


Freo put in a mature effort to take back the lead late against a surging Crows at Adelaide Oval on Good Friday. 

The Dockers led by as much as 34 points 10 minutes into the third quarter, however the home side responded to take a 10 points lead at 14:08 in the final term. The experience of Shai Bolton and Josh Treacy shone with the pair kicking the next two goals for Fremantle and an Alex Pearce block at the buzzer won it for the Dockers. 

Freo were the better side for most of the night but had no answers for the 7-goal run of the Crows, however, they eventually stopped the momentum and did what they needed to do, which is the biggest takeaway from the match, as the old Fremantle might not have had that composure and spirit.

The difference in Freo this year has been their eagerness to move the ball forward and willingness to have a crack at goal. The match against Adelaide was their first scoring less than 100 points in the match on the back of being the most efficient scorers per inside 50 at 55.4%. 

Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers Team List & News


Collingwood Magpies Team News

Nick Daicos is expected to be fully-fit for the match against Fremantle. Scott Pendlebury is also cleared.

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Fremantle came out of their match against Adelaide unscathed. 

CollingwoodPOSFremantle
B. Frampton, J. Howe, B. MaynardBB. Cox, A. Pearce, H. Chapman
D. Houston, J. Daicos, H. PerrymanHBJ. Clark, L. Ryan, K. Worner
R. Steele, A. Anderson, S. SidebottomCJ. O’Meara, A. Brayshaw, C. Wagner
B. McCreery, J. De Goey, L. SchultzHFS. Bolton, M. Reid, S. Switkowski
J. Elliott, T. Membrey, D. McStayFJ. Amiss, J. Treacy, P. Voss
O. Steene, N. Daicos, N. LongFOLLS. Darcy, L. Jackson, C. Serong
P. Lipinski, I. Quaynor, S. Pendlebury, D. Cameron, J. CrispI/CC. Scerri, I. Dudley, N. Erasmus, M. Johnson, J. McVee

Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL 2026 Round 5 FAQ’s

How to watch Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL 2026 Round 5?

You can watch the Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL 2026 Round 5 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL 2026 Round 5?

To buy tickets to the Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers AFL 2026 Round 5 game check the AFL website or the official Collingwood Magpies site.

Verdict

Fremantle will cover as 10.5 point favourites, holding Collingwood under 82.5 points with Caleb Serong registering 30+ disposals.
Best Bet1: Fremantle -10.5 Handicap/Line $1.91 at Betfocus - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Collingwood Under 82.5 Team Total $1.91 at Elitebet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Caleb Serong 30+ Disposals $1.87 at dabble - 2 Units
Fremantle -10.5
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$1.91 - 3 Units
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Collingwood Magpies v Fremantle Dockers