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Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Dockers AFL Round 1 Tips - Dockers capable of upset at GMHBA

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu 12 Mar 2026 09:35

Adam Cusworth 12 Mar 2026

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Geelong Cats enter as favourites but face a dangerous Fremantle Dockers side capable of causing an upset at GMHBA Stadium.
Experts expect Fremantle to stay within the line thanks to their strong midfield depth.
Key players: Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong for disposals
The game will be played at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 14th March, with the bounce at 4:15 PM (AEDT).

Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Dockers AFL Round 1 Tips

Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Dockers, Round 1 2026 - Expert Prediction

Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Dockers, Round 1 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Geelong Cats Form Analysis
Geelong Cats Team News
Geelong Cats Team List
Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis
Fremantle Dockers Team News
Fremantle Dockers Team List

Geelong return to GMHBA Stadium looking to steady their season after a shaky start, but they face a Fremantle Dockers side capable of producing an early upset.

The Cats were runners-up in 2025 and entered the season with premiership expectations, yet they have stumbled through the pre-season and Opening Round without a win. They were smashed by the Gold Coast Suns last weekend by 56 points and trailed by 85 at one stage.

They head in as favourites on the back of their excellent form at GMHBA Stadium, which has been a bit of a fortress for opposition sides in the past.

Fremantle learnt this the hard way in 2025 when well beaten in the corresponding fixture but do boast one of the competition’s strongest midfields and can arrive with genuine belief that they can challenge Geelong on their home deck.

Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong have consistently performed well against Geelong and remain among the league’s most productive clearance players. With Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy capable of giving the Dockers first use in the ruck, Fremantle have the capacity to generate repeat entries and keep the pressure on Geelong’s defence.

Geelong still possess plenty of firepower and will welcome back their star forward Jeremy Cameron (pending a fitness test) but they will need to fine tune after showing vulnerability through the midfield and in defensive transition so far.

Take the Dockers with the start with Brayshaw and Serong both in store for 25+ disposals.

Geelong have gone down in both pre-season matches as well as their Round 1 encounter
Fremantle have won two of their past three at GMHBA Stadium
Andrew Brayshaw has had 25+ disposals in four of his past five against Geelong
Caleb Serong has had 25+ disposals in four of his past five against Geelong

Head to Head Stats

Geelong took out the corresponding fixture last season by 78 points and it was Bailey Smith that was electric in his debut for the club, picking up 32 disposals, while Jeremy Cameron booted four goals. Fremantle’s Murphy Reid produced a memorable cameo with four goals in a quarter.

The Cats have won the past two matches between the two sides but the Dockers won three prior to that, including two at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong Cats Form Analysis

Geelong dropped both of their pre-season hitouts along with their Opening Round clash, a contrast to the consistency that carried them to the Grand Final in 2025 where they finished the home-and-away season with an 18–5 record before ultimately falling short against Brisbane.

In the Round 1 loss, Geelong had moments of strong ball movement but struggled to maintain control across the contest. Tanner Bruhn was a standout performer with 31 disposals and two goal assists, providing energy through the midfield in his first appearance since 2024. Ollie Dempsey also impressed with four goals, while Bailey Smith endured a quiet start to the season. The All-Australian midfielder had just seven disposals in the opening half before working into the contest and finishing with 23 touches.

Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis

Fremantle finished the 2025 home and away season with a 16-7 record before losing a thrilling Elimination Final to Gold Coast.

In match simulation their midfield again generated strong clearance numbers while Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy controlled the ruck.

Their Community Series clash with Adelaide saw Jackson record 23 disposals and 28 hitouts in the 16-point win over Adelaide, which was played in blustery conditions.

ARTICLE: ARE FREMANTLE UNDERRATED IN 2026?

Geelong Cats Team News

Geelong got through their Opening Round match without any injuries. Jeremy Cameron has been managing a quad complaint while Patrick Dangerfield has dealt with calf soreness during the pre-season. Both missed the Suns match and face fitness tests during the week.

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Sean Darcy has been managing a minor calf complaint but is expected to be available.

Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw remain the Dockers’ primary midfield drivers while Luke Jackson continues to split time between ruck and forward roles.

Young midfielders such as Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson are pushing for expanded roles.

Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Dockers Team List

Geelong	POS	Fremantle
C. O’Sullivan, J. Henry, S. De Koning	B	K. Worner, O. McDonald, H. Chapman
T. Stewart, O. Mullin, L. Humphries	HB	J. Clark, A. Pearce, J. McVee
M. O’Connor, B. Smith, O. Dempsey	C	C. Wagner, A. Brayshaw, M. Johnson
B. Close, S. Mannagh, J. Martin	HF	I. Dudley, P. Voss, S. Switkowski
J. Cameron, S. Neale, P. Dangerfield	F	S. Bolton, J. Treacy, M. Reid
M. Blicavs, T. Atkins, M. Holmes	FOLL	S. Darcy, L. Jackson, C. Serong
Z. Guthrie, J. Clark, T. Bruhn, G. Miers, M. Edwards	I/C	B. Walker, J. Amiss, N. O’Driscoll, N. Erasmus, H. Young

Verdict

Geelong Cats v Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle to push the Cats with Serong and Brayshaw amongst the disposals

Fremantle +10.5

Handicap -10.5

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