Fremantle put in a much-improved performance against GWS in round 7 while West Coast's travel blues continued with another away loss against a finals-bound opponent in Geelong.
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Both teams will be looking to bounce back this weekend and will take on two vastly different challenges in round 8.
The Dockers head to Launceston to take on reigning premiers Hawthorn who have regained some touch with a 46-point thumping of Richmond last Friday night. And, with skipper Matthew Pavlich missing and Sam Mitchell and James Frawley returning for the Hawks, Fremantle fans will be hoping things don't get too ugly.
Meanwhile, West Coast are clear favourites at home to St Kilda however, the Saints showed last week they will be no pushovers after they almost caused a boilover against North Melbourne.
Round eight also throws up several other interesting match-ups with Patrick Dangerfield returning to Adelaide to face his old club and the Western Bulldogs leaving their kennel (Etihad Stadium) for the first time this season - even if it is just six kilometres down the road.
And so we bring you the round eight Friday Furnace ... fanning the flames on the burning topics of the weekend of AFL ahead, led by dual Kangaroos premiership hero and ex-Fremantle captain and 6PR broadcaster Peter Bell.
Peter Bell (6PR presenter and footy broadcaster):
The Burning Question: Can Melbourne match it with the Bulldogs?
Headline You'd Like To See: Highway to the Dangerzone. Adelaide and Geelong in thriller.
Pick of the Round: West Coast v St Kilda. Eagles appease 'flat track bully' critics by winning by less.
Tune In: GWS v Gold Coast. Battle of the expansion clubs. Suns plight becomes big talking point.
Brendan Foster (WAtoday sports writer and resident hippie):
Question: Are the Demon finals material? If so Melbourne must knock over the Bulldogs at the MCG on Sunday.
Headline: Dangerfield has last laugh against Crows.
Pick: Carlton v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Blues are paying $2.60 against a inconsistent Port.
Tune In: There are no standout games this weekend, but the Crows v Cats game in Adelaide on Friday night should be a beauty based on the fact Patrick Dangerfield is playing against his old team. Tune Out: Hawks v Freo in Tassie on Saturday. Do some gardening.
Tim Carrier (Fantasy football addict and social media producer at WAtoday):
Question: Can the AFL go a season without changing the rules? No wonder there are questions about the umpiring every week - the league keeps changing the rules on them.
Headline: Nathan's got Buckley's chance of coaching out the year.
Pick: Hawthorn v Fremantle for highest scoring match of the round is $34. The scoring might all be at one end, but it could be worth a punt.
Tune In: Adelaide v Geelong. Dangerfield against his old club Tune Out: Gold Coast v GWS. Who would have thought two years ago that this clash in would appear to be so one-sided.
Simon White (WAtoday editor and chief puppet hater):
Question: How many 10s of goals will the Dockers get spanked by in Launceston tomorrow?
Headline: Saints come marching in, put Eagles in cage.
Pick: St Kilda at the line against the West Coast Eagles. The 42.5 point head-start is way too much on current form.
Tune In: Adelaide v Geelong on Friday night. Seriously, where would you rather be than on the couch watching this...
