Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Having experienced first-hand the heartbreak Fremantle fans have endured over the years, star Geelong defender Lawson Humphries knows the desperation he’ll be confronted with in Friday night’s semi-final blockbuster in Perth.
The Cats will walk into Optus Stadium as enemy No.1 in front of a sell-out crowd of close to 60,000 fans.
With the loser of the game to be sent packing, Fremantle’s fans are gearing up to create the most hostile of environments as they attempt to keep the Flagmantle dream alive.
Geelong are a battle-hardened finals side given they have only missed September action once in the past 11 seasons.
The Cats have compiled a 12-12 finals record over that period, including grand final appearances in 2025, 2022 and 2020.
In contrast, Fremantle’s long rebuild means they have only played four finals games over the past 11 years, including last year’s one-point elimination final loss to Gold Coast and last Thursday’s 32-point defeat to Hawthorn.
Both of those games were at home, and losing a third straight final at Optus Stadium is unthinkable for Fremantle fans.
Humphries was a mad Dockers supporter growing up in Western Australia, and he knows what he’ll be walking into on Friday.
“Freo are going to put everything into it because they’ve lost their last two finals and they’ll be desperate,” Humphries said.
“I know the fans are. I was a supporter growing up, so I know how much it means.”
Fremantle have lost three of their past four games to slip from premiership favourites to the brink of a straight sets finals exit.
Those losses to Carlton, Melbourne and Hawthorn have given rival teams an idea of how to beat Justin Longmuir’s men.
“I think you’ve always got to look at what’s worked for other teams,” Humphries said.
“Freo have been going really well, but lost a couple in recent times, and you’d be silly not to look at what’s worked for those teams.
“If we can see a certain pattern, it’s something we’re going to have to look at.”
Humphries is contracted with Geelong until the end of 2028, but Fremantle are expected to push hard to lure the 23-year-old their way before then.
The dashing defender has given no indication of a desire to leave the Cats, but he’s looking forward to coming across a familiar face.
“I played a bit of school footy with Neil Erasmus, so if I find myself on the wing, I’ll give him a bit of lip,” Humphries joked.
