AFL live score updates: Fremantle Dockers face Richmond at Optus Stadium
AFL: Fremantle and Richmond have been spared the brutal winds and rain that have lashed WA in recent days but the contest is still set to be intense.
This is a big game for Fremantle if they want to establish their top-four credentials.
Richmond are a struggling club and the Dockers must be ruthless and see them as a chance to boost their percentage.
But you can never underestimate teams in the AFL.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Scratchy start
The slippery footy isn’t giving fans a fast or clean start to this game but it’s on Richmond’s terms early.
Lalor has been everywhere as the Tigers push for the first goal.
Green came close but narrowly missed a snap.
FRE 1, RICH 1
Underway!
Jackson wins the opening tap down to Serong but the Dockers gun is pinged for a throw as Brayshaw escapes out the front.
Crowd is still trickling in.
FRE 0, RICH 0
Banners abondoned
Given the forecast neither side went with a banner for today’s game.
Both side’s simply run out to the club anthem.
Black armbands
The Dockers will wear black armbands for today’s game to honour a member of Isaiah Dudley’s family who passed away during the week.
Rain, rain
The drizzle has returned to Optus Stadium but it’s not enough to both the players as they continue their final warm-ups.
Locked in
Fremantle have made no changes to their team for this one.
The Darcy conundrum
Should Fremantle have stuck with Sean Darcy or picked Mason Cox?
The West reporter Craig O’Donoghue goes into bat for the Dockers bigman in his weekly column.
Embracing conditions
A good portion of the Dockers team has been out on the ground for half an hour getting used to the slippery conditions.
Most have been working through kicking and pick the ball up.
Experince returns
Brennan Cox and Jaeger O’Meara have come into the Dockers’ side for today’s game.
Oscar McDonald and Nathan O’Driscoll make way.
The Dockers are pretty much at full strength while Richmond are missing stars Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis.
Welcome!
The skies are dark but the rain has disappeared as the early players are out on Optus Stadium getting ready to go.
It’s an early arvo game for the Dockers today which is an unusual timeslot in WA but will suit the Dockers.
Stay tuned for all the latest as build up to the first siren.
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