It’s often said the journey is more useful than the actual destination.
That’s exactly how Fremantle are treating things ahead of Saturday night’s preliminary final against Sydney at Patersons Stadium.
Never before has Fremantle been in such a strong position to win the flag, with the club’s 19-year history littered with failure and disappointment.
An expectation of success is a relatively new phenomenon for the Dockers, and the town of Fremantle has gone into overdrive this week as long-suffering fans dare to dream of premiership glory.
Such is the hype, one butcher has even started selling purple sausages in support of the West Australian club.
Fremantle know they face one hell of a fight to get over the top of the Swans, whose brand of contested football is perfectly suited for finals action.
But Dockers coach Ross Lyon says the hype and pressure surrounding his club this week will prove to be invaluable preparation for the grand final – if they’re good enough to make it.
“There’s a lot more external distraction and the outcome is bigger,” Lyon said of the finals fever gripping the town.
“We acknowledge that but we welcome it because, at the end of the day, we’re aiming as a club to go to grand final day.
“So it’s an opportunity to practise and rehearse and cope with all the distractions and challenges and mounting focus.
“We see that as an opportunity to be used to our advantage and grow.”
Sydney are accustomed to the big stage, having featured in 10 of the past 11 finals series, including their premiership campaigns of 2005 and 2012.
In contrast, Fremantle’s best effort before this year was a preliminary final appearance in 2006.
Sydney were again Fremantle’s nemesis on that day, with the Swans prevailing by 35 points at ANZ Stadium.
Only six current Dockers featured in that match – Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, Michael Johnson, Ryan Crowley and David Mundy.
Pavlich, who kicked four goals that day, is confident the 2013 Fremantle squad is better placed for success this time around.
When the teams last met in round eight this year, Fremantle came from 27 points down in the final quarter to snatch a draw at the SCG.
Sydney veteran Ryan O’Keefe said the Swans learned some valuable lessons that night.
“When you’re playing the best sides, if you have a lapse for a five or 10-minute period, they’ll jump you,” O’Keefe said.
“And that’s what they did. We sort of let it go for a period of time and Freo are a really good side and capitalised and made us hurt.
“In the end, they probably should’ve won the game.”
Although the Swans are missing key players up forward and in defence, their star-studded midfield is relatively unscathed.
Fremantle also boast a host of on-ball stars, with Lyon predicting the midfield battle will decide the outcome of the game.
Sydney coach John Longmire says restricting the influence of ruckman Sandilands will be the key to his side’s hopes of victory.
The Dockers have been boosted by the return of All-Australian defender Michael Johnson from a calf niggle, while Sydney recalled forward Ben McGlynn (calf) and Gary Rohan in place of Kurt Tippett (knee) and Tom Mitchell (ankle).