Arabic version: دوكرز يركزون على اختبار ملبورن لا على بروفة النهائيات

According to ABC News, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says the Dockers will not treat Saturday’s MCG match against Melbourne as a rehearsal for a potential grand final, despite the fixture offering a late-season test at the venue.

Fremantle has played 12 games at the MCG since Longmuir took charge before the 2020 AFL season. Longmuir said the club had enough experience at the ground, including good and average outings and wins over teams that had been on top of the ladder. He said travel to Melbourne was no longer a burden for the side.

The match starts at 1:15pm on Saturday, while the grand final is scheduled to begin at 2:30pm. Longmuir said Fremantle’s focus was on giving its best against Melbourne and improving its football, rather than looking ahead. He said it would be disrespectful to get ahead of themselves.

Assistant coach Jaymie Graham is reportedly in the final round of interviews for the vacant Essendon and Carlton coaching roles. Longmuir said Graham had managed his responsibilities professionally and that a decision on his future involvement would be made if he were offered another job.

Longmuir also confirmed Fremantle does not plan to rest large numbers of players before finals following an AFL warning. He said the club must balance the integrity of every game with preparing to go as long as possible in the season, noting teams in the top six receive a week off.