Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Andrew Brayshaw has described Fremantle’s shock finals loss to Hawthorn as a “good reality check” as the minor premiers attempt to navigate the long route to a maiden AFL premiership.
Previously unbeaten at home this season, the Dockers suffered badly from stage fright in their 32-point qualifying final defeat to the Hawks, which cost them a home preliminary final.
But Justin Longmuir’s men bounced back and repaired a damaged reputation with a tough semi-final win over Geelong, setting up a clash with Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.
“We got a good reality check that first week against the Hawks. Their pressure was awesome, but it sort of kicked us into gear,” Brayshaw said on Kayo Sports.
“I feel like now we’re starting to play our best footy again and what you saw on the weekend from us against Geelong was exciting.
“Really strong, and we’re loving the idea of the challenge of going over to Sydney and playing for it all. We’re really excited.”
Fremantle had a club-record 19-4 win-loss ledger in the home-and-away season and were the benchmark for most of the campaign.
They topped the ladder from late May and finished a game clear of the Swans, but the premiership race is wide open with four teams still in the hunt.
“I feel like if we play our best footy we’ll give ourselves a really good chance, and against Geelong we really showed that,” Brayshaw said.
“In terms of whether we’ve got the mantle (as favourites) or not, I’m not too sure.
“But we’re going to give ourselves the best chance this Friday to test them out, hold onto the footy, be really strong in the contest, and fingers crossed we can get a win.”
Brayshaw, like most of Fremantle’s current team, will feature in his first AFL preliminary final against Sydney but believes he has a fair idea about what to expect.
“Contest is king … and we’re excited,” Brayshaw said.
“We’re really grateful for the opportunity and keen to get stuck into the Swans.”
Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton, Oscar McDonald and Mason Cox are likely to be the only players in the Dockers’ line-up this week with prior preliminary final experience.
Jackson, who helped Melbourne break open the 2021 grand final en route to a drought-breaking flag, shapes as a possible match-winner again after his heroics against Geelong.
“That last five minutes of the third quarter, he just went crazy and started kicking goals out of nowhere,” Brayshaw said.
“Playing like a mid, he was awesome, but he knows it’s (about) the work throughout the week that he does.
“He trained really well today and he’s looking for another big one this Friday.”
