Fremantle finished comfortably ahead of Kalamunda on the Men’s Premiership ladder, but the Roosters enter their semi-final knowing they have not beaten the Bulldogs this season.
The teams produced a 28–28 draw in Round 8 before Kalamunda secured a dramatic 30–28 victory in Round 17.
Those results give the Bulldogs one win and one draw from two meetings and ensure this contest carries considerably more intrigue than the third-versus-fourth ladder positions might suggest.
Fremantle own the stronger season record
The Roosters finished third with an 11–4–1 record and a +286 points differential. They averaged 38.5 points per game while conceding 20.6.
Kalamunda finished fourth at 7–8–1 with a +4 differential, averaging 29.4 points for and 29.1 against.
Across the full season, Fremantle were more consistent in attack and defence. The Roosters also demonstrated their scoring ceiling with a 100–0 victory over Kwinana in Round 16—their largest win of the recorded 2018–2026 period.
Fremantle won four of their final five matches, with their only loss in that sequence coming against Kalamunda.
Bulldogs have the matchup belief
Kalamunda’s overall record may be less impressive, but finals are determined by matchups rather than season averages.
The Bulldogs have already played 160 minutes against Fremantle without losing. They matched the Roosters point for point in their first encounter and then found a way to win the return match by two.
That success should give Kalamunda confidence that they can absorb Fremantle’s attacking pressure and remain within striking distance late in the contest.
The Bulldogs’ season has contained significant fluctuations. They recorded an 88–6 victory over Kwinana but also suffered heavy defeats against the leading sides. Their best football is capable of troubling Fremantle; the question is whether they can sustain it across a finals match.
Roosters need to convert their advantages
Harry Debique enters the finals as the competition’s third-highest point-scorer with 146. His kicking and attacking influence could be crucial if Kalamunda again force the Roosters into a close finish.
Fremantle’s priority will be turning their statistical advantages into scoreboard separation. In both regular-season meetings, Kalamunda remained close enough to make the final stages uncomfortable.
The Roosters cannot afford to assume that their ladder position or superior differential will eventually decide the game. They must establish control early and prevent the Bulldogs from building belief.
The key numbers
- Fremantle finished 11–4–1 with a +286 differential.
- Kalamunda finished 7–8–1 with a +4 differential.
- The Round 8 meeting finished 28–28.
- Kalamunda won the Round 17 rematch 30–28.
- Only two points separated the teams across their two matches combined.
- Fremantle averaged 9.1 more points per game than Kalamunda.