Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir dismisses underdog status, affirms confidence ahead of Sydney clash

From the outside looking in, the Dockers don’t yet look like a team that’s completely confident in their own ability.

There are reasons for that. Whatever happened against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago happened between the ears. A fortnight before, Fremantle was 20 odd points down in the final term against an injury-depleted Collingwood outfit and salvaged a draw. Earlier this season, the Dockers had the chance to bounce back from two heartbreaking away losses to Carlton and Port Adelaide but were blown out of the water by West Coast.

Fremantle has undoubtedly had its blips this year. But by the same token, when the Dockers have stuck to their brand and structure, they’ve been able to challenge some of the best teams in the competition.

Compare Fremantle to Sydney, the team they will face at the SCG on Saturday. The Swans are three games clear on top of the ladder and they’re playing like it.

When you watch Sydney, it’s hard not to notice a subtle air of arrogance. The Swans play with swagger. They puff their chests out. They know they’re good, just ask them.

Fremantle’s confidence is however conditional.

“We’re confident that when we value the right things and we can execute the game plan, it holds up against anyone,” Justin Longmuir said on Wednesday morning. “As a footy club, we need to become more consistent across four quarters.

“Our consistency across the year has improved since last year. Last year we were up and down. This year, I think we’ve put a pretty consistent product out there week in, and week out.

“Quarters have just let us down where we haven’t played the way we want to play. That’s the challenge. Can we play four quarters?

“You’re right the Swans are playing four quarters and looking for moments where the opposition drops off and they score heavily in those moments.”

Fremantle’s hopes of ending Sydney’s 10-game winning streak were dealt a massive blow earlier this week when it was revealed that Alex Pearce will miss the next three-to-four weeks with a fractured forearm.

It means the Dockers will face the ladder-leaders without their captain and one of their most structurally important players at Sydney’s SCG fortress.

But Fremantle is refusing to acknowledge the enormity of the challenge ahead.

“I haven’t really talked about being the underdogs,” Longmuir said. “I think that sells the message that we’re inferior.

“We want to go over there with belief.

“It’s going to have to be one of our more connected games of the year.

“When we play our best footy, we do it as an 18, or a 22, and we’re going to need that this week. We’re not reliant on one person.

“As good as Pearce has been, we’ll fill his seat in the boat and we’ll go over there and play our best four-quarter team performance.”

Longmuir has talked the talk. You know what comes next.

Josh Draper is set to return as cover for Pearce as the Dockers dropped some selection hints during some 18 vs. 18 match simulation at main training.

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James Aish and Caleb Serong played in the opposition team consisting mainly of WAFL players to balance numbers. Corey Wagner and Karl Worner lined up on the same side with both defenders under pressure to keep their spots after Brandon Walker was a late out last week with illness.

Andrew Brayshaw also took part in match simulation despite missing a big chunk of training. Brayshaw had his toenail removed earlier this week after he was stomped on against Gold Coast and he also appeared to be battling a nasty corked quad. The 24-year-old left the track twice to speak with club doctors but finished the session.

Brayshaw is in contention to captain the Dockers this week alongside co-vice captain Caleb Serong but Longmuir said that the whole team will have to step up to fill Pearce’s leadership void.