A refreshed North Melbourne will need to draw on the momentum it generated in its comeback Round 11 victory when it heads to Western Australia’s Bunbury to face the red-hot Fremantle Dockers.
Round 13, North Melbourne v Fremantle
When: Saturday, June 6 at 12.15pm AWST (2.15pm AEST)
Where: Hands Oval, Bunbury, WA
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
The opposition
Ladder-leading Fremantle has barely put a foot wrong in its dominant 11-1 start to the 2026 season, with its only loss coming in its opening game.
Justin Longmuir’s side is firing on all cylinders and will enter Hands Oval fresh off a 25-point win over back-to-back premiers Brisbane at the Gabba.
The Dockers' three-pronged tall attack of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss combined for 11 goals against the Lions and the trio are sure to challenge the Roos’ defensive stocks on Saturday.
Crafty forward-midfielders Shai Bolton and Murphy Reid are in top form, but the Dockers will again be without star onballer Caleb Serong due to a calf injury.
Running hot
Jy Simpkin put in his strongest performance of the season against Gold Coast, earning a game-high seven coaches votes.
The No.12 notched 29 disposals, nine marks and 523 metres gained at Marvel Stadium, plus a goal and two goal assists
He’ll need to be at his best again if the Roos are to match their 2025 performance at Hands Oval and pick up the four points.
What the coach has said
North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson post-match v Gold Coast: "We've been competing a hell of a lot better (this season) ... not quite getting there against high-quality opponents. For us to get that scalp was a bit of justification for a lot of hard work that's been done. But we know we're not there yet."
Last time we met
North Melbourne gave Fremantle an almighty scare in Round 14 last season, with the Dockers surviving at Optus Stadium to win by six points.
The Roos erased a 28-point deficit in the fourth quarter and trailed by just one point in the final minutes when Fremantle ruck Luke Jackson snapped a goal to seal the result.
Harry Sheezel (32 disposals, one goal) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (27 disposals, one goal) were two of North Melbourne’s best, while Luke McDonald stood tall in defence, winning 27 touches, 12 intercepts and eight grabs.
