They’ve buried their Melbourne hoodoo and now Fremantle’s quest to be an “anywhere, anytime” side will be put to the ultimate test in Saturday night’s elimination final against Geelong at the MCG.
The Dockers, under the guidance of steely coach Ross Lyon, are confident they can crack their first-ever finals win in Melbourne after posting four out of five victories there this season.
Before Lyon rocked up at Fremantle, Melbourne was a graveyard for the Dockers, who lost a staggering 27 of their 29 games in Victoria between round 8, 2007 up until Mark Harvey’s controversial axing at the end of 2011.
Fremantle’s only previous finals appearance in Melbourne ended in heartbreak, with Geelong putting them to the sword by 69 points in a 2010 semi-final at the MCG.
But Dockers assistant coach Michael Prior said the players had grown in confidence about their ability to win away from the west, and were primed to announce themselves as a genuine finals threat with a win over the Cats.
“Our travelling record here has been really positive and nothing fazes us, we’re full of confidence,” Prior said on Friday.
“Geelong presents us with a great challenge and we’re up for it.”
Lyon often emphasises to his players that they should pride themselves on being able to perform “anywhere, anytime”.
It’s a mantra he also employed while coach of St Kilda.
During his five-year tenure at the Saints, Lyon steered the team to four successive finals campaigns between 2008-2011, which included three grand final appearances.
Prior hoped Lyon’s big-game experience would translate into success at the Dockers.
“He does bring something extra because he’s coached in grand finals,” Prior said.
“Our guys have tapped into the coach and know what it’s about.”
While Fremantle have never won a finals match at the MCG, Geelong’s recent record there is unsurpassed, with 12 wins from 15 play-off games since 2008.
Lyon sees Saturday’s match-up as an opportunity for his team to make a stand.
“They’re a proven premiership team, triple-premiership players in the majority, so it would be great to announce ourselves on the big stage,” Lyon said.
Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich braved the chilly waters at St Kilda on Friday with his teammates and Prior said he was fit and firing.
“He’s probably the best he’s been in the last few weeks which is a real positive for us,” Prior said.
“He’s been able to get out on the track and be able to do a bit more so he’ll go into the game fully prepared and ready to go.”
While Geelong lost star forward Steve Johnson to suspension, Fremantle suffered their own blow with key defender Luke McPharlin ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Fremantle are confident Alex Silvagni will be able to fill the void left by the likely All-Australian fullback.
