Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
There’s something special about the MCG, and Fremantle players will be lapping up the experience in Saturday’s clash with Melbourne as they build towards what they hope will be a breakthrough premiership.
The Dockers have already locked in a top-two berth, and they will secure the minor premiership with two rounds to spare if they beat the Demons at the MCG on Saturday.
The match represents a rare MCG visit for the Dockers, who have played at the venue only 12 times since Justin Longmuir took over as coach at the end of 2019.
Fremantle have won four of their past six matches at the ‘home of football’, including a 43-point win over Essendon earlier this season and a one-point triumph over Collingwood last year.
Dockers midfielder Neil Erasmus has only played at the MCG four times himself, and he’ll use Saturday’s match to build on his experience.
“It definitely is significant,” Erasmus said.
“We’ll treat it like any other game, but we love playing there, and I think it gets us up and about knowing that that’s where the last game of the year is played.
“So we prepare like we’re getting ready for that.”
Erasmus said even the grass at the MCG was different, and it’s something he’s quickly grown fond of.
“It’s unreal. Like the ball bounces different,” he said.
“It’s got a great feel to it. It sits up nicely. A lot of decks skid a little bit, but it bounces up nicely at the MCG.”
The Demons have become the kings of the MCG this year, with Steven King’s men compiling a perfect 9-0 record before Geelong snapped that run with a 20-point win a fortnight ago.
Melbourne (13-7) sit in sixth spot and will be aiming for a strong end to the season in order to avoid the AFL’s new wildcard round, which pits teams from seventh to 10th against each other for the remaining two spots in the finals.
Fremantle (18-2) set a new club record for amount of wins in a season last week when they beat the Bulldogs by 37 points.
“That’s cool,” Erasmus said of the feat.
“I guess we’ll sit back when the season’s done and look back at it all. That’s not the goal at the moment, but it’s nice to have that sort of stuff come up along the way.”
The Dockers have rested Alex Pearce this week after the inspirational skipper dislocated a finger against the Bulldogs.
Brennan Cox replaces Pearce after overcoming a knee niggle.
Melbourne welcome back defender Daniel Turner and forward Kade Chandler in place of Blake Howes (fractured arm) and Paddy Cross (omitted).
