Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Fremantle vs Sydney will carry major AFL ladder weight on Thursday night, with top spot on the line at a sold-out Optus Stadium in Perth.

Fremantle sit 14-2 despite last week’s 21-point loss to Greater Western Sydney Giants, while Sydney are 13-3 and can jump above the Dockers with a big enough win.

The clash arrives during a heated stretch of the AFL season, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera dominating the AFL form tracker after a career-high showcase.

Pavlich Adds Extra Storyline

Matthew Pavlich remains one of Fremantle’s greatest figures after a 353-game career in purple, but he now enters this blockbuster as Sydney’s chief executive.

Sydney coach Dean Cox said there was no doubt where Pavlich’s loyalty would sit on Thursday night.

"It'd be an interesting week for Pav, but he's red and white," Cox said on Wednesday while Sydney trained at Optus Stadium.

"You always have fond memories of the clubs that you spend time at, and no doubt he's got that at Fremantle with the time he spent there.

"But he's all in for the Swans at the minute."

Coaches Know Each Other Well

The match also brings a tactical duel between Cox and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir.

Longmuir was an assistant coach at West Coast Eagles late in Cox’s playing career, and the pair later worked together on the Eagles’ coaching staff.

Cox also had Longmuir as his assistant for Western Australia during this year’s State of Origin loss to Victoria.

"The good part about Justin is he was a bit more experienced than me, so he gave me a lot of his knowledge on how to handle situations," Cox said.

"Fremantle are playing a really process brand of footy, and that's exactly what Justin is.

"He's very strong on where he wants to get to, how he gets his players there, and he's doing well.

"We're probably both lucky to be in a position to coach two great football clubs."

Huge Stakes In Perth

A Fremantle win would move them two games clear at the top and almost lock in a top-two finish with two home finals.

"It's an amazing battle to be a part of - two teams that are in good form, and you get to do it in front of 60,000 people," Cox said.

"Our players are really excited for that. We get an opportunity to come over here and take on the best team. We can't wait for it."

Sydney regain Tom Papley from a calf issue, while Fremantle are set to miss Hayden Young with a groin problem.

Official AFL fixtures and ladder updates are available through the AFL.