Xavier Ellis: Fremantle Dockers on track for big things and should make it 12 wins in a row against Kangaroos

Book your flights, Dockers fans. Only twice over the next nine weeks, you have to leave the state. It is an educated purchase. The top team, with a cosy nine weeks, it is clear to me they are premiership favourites. North Melbourne have been inconsistent at times this season. Their best has been a benchmark; their worst has been the same old Roos. Three factors to beating North Melbourne this weekend in Bunbury. 1. The big three will give the North Melbourne key defenders kittens. Josh Treacy, Pat Voss and Jye Amiss, with enough opportunities will be far too dynamic for their direct opponents. North don’t have a defender for Voss to play a negative role on, so it will be one-on-one. Advantage Fremantle. If Bunbury conditions are favourable for footy, the Dockers ball movement will simply create too many easy opportunities. 2. Be wary of the North Melbourne midfielders. Opponents are insane in my opinion not keeping an eye on Harry Sheezel and Luke Davies-Uniacke. When these two dominate, North Melbourne at a minimum are in the contest and at times like the last game against Gold Coast, unstoppable. With Finn O’Sullivan out with concussion, I expect, George Wardlaw or Jy Simpkin to pick up some negating slack. Just keep Sheezel and LDU in check especially early in games, they are the key to scoring chains. 3. Limit uncontested footy. The Kangas when at their best control the ball by foot. Any game that sees North with around 100 marks, is a North Melbourne-styled game. Team defence on an unfamiliar ground will be unique early, but forcing Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel and Colby McKercher into long down the line is a big win for the Dockers.