What to expect
Fremantle will be searching to secure a spot in the AFL grand final for just the second time in their history when they take on on the Hawks in Friday night’s preliminary final at Domain Stadium.
The Dockers, who will be well rested after their week off, lost to Hawthorn in their one and only grand final appearance in 2013 and will be looking to end the Hawks’ quest for a third–straight premiership.
Dockers Coach Ross Lyon said the Dockers faced significant task, despite any advantage of having the week off.
“If you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best so we’ve got a significant challenge in front of us but we know our best is good enough,” Lyon told media on Monday.
“We’re really excited about the challenge and there’s no hiding, you don’t sneak your way into prelims… you need to play quality and they’re all tight and tough.”
Despite the Hawks prevailing by 72 points after a dominant display in their Round 15 encounter, Lyon played down the significance of the two teams’ recent history.
“We’ve all moved on, obviously they’re a good team…we don’t dwell on the past," he said.
“When the ball’s bounced we all start equal… all that’s going to matter when the ball is bounced is who puts their head over the ball and runs really hard and uses the ball well.
As for how the Dockers are planning to overcome the reigning premiers, the signs are the Dockers wont be deviating from their normal game, as they look to focus on minimising the Hawks’ attacking power.
“We know they’ve been the best offensive team for the last three years so we’ll have to bring all our defensive heat, we’ll have to be fierce in the contest and really try and score well ourselves," Lyon said.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as win the ball really well and tackle really well and use it. Sometimes its not that complicated. But we’ll have to be fierce in the contest, try and close down their time and space.”
Players to watch
Midfielder Nat Fyfe remains the favourite to take out this year’s Brownlow Medal after proving himself to be a dominant force through the middle of the ground.
Fyfe averages 29 disposals a match this season and had 32 against Sydney Swans along with eight clearances and five inside 50s and will be a key to winning the contested ball for the Dockers.
Livewire forward Michael Walters leads Fremantle’s goal kicking with 41 so far this season and proved ever-dangerous against the Swans, with three goals from 21 disposals and is set to provide the Hawks defence with plenty of headaches.
Potential changes
Boasting a relatively clean bill of health, the Dockers may make little to no change to the side that overcame Sydney in their qualifying final.
Clancee Pearce was subbed into the match during the final quarter and only managed three handballs, while the man he replaced Nick Suban, only had four disposals himself, with both likely to find themselves under pressure to hold their places.
Key tall Matt Taberner is a likely inclusion. After being withdrawn late from the final against Sydney, Taberner kicked five goals from 14 disposals and took seven marks for WAFL side Peel Thunder the same weekend.
Ryan Crowley’s 12-month ban from the game also ends in time for him to be eligible for selection, but remains only an outside chance, while key defender Luke McPharlin is considered an unlikely starter
Ruckman Jonathon Griffin has also been declared fit and could put pressure on Zac Clarke for the second ruck position.
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