The Western Bulldogs will be relishing in the pressure that their Round 24 clash with Fremantle bodes, at least according to senior coach Luke Beveridge, as the club turns to a plethora of experience in similar matches to get them over the line on Sunday.
Beveridge was asked about the comments Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir made on Wednesday, where he suggested that the narrative of pressure should be on the Bulldogs, considering the Dogs have 'won one less game than Fremantle'.
Beveridge avoided making a direct return remark to Longmuir as his side looks to avoid making unwanted history, potentially having the best percentage of a side in history to miss the top eight.
"There's always pressure, regardless of the sheep stations we play for. One thing I'll know is there will be one team, club and supporter base that's going to be bitterly disappointed on Sunday afternoon," Beveridge told media on Friday.
"We plan for it not to be us. It's a great opportunity to open up a Pandora's box and play a finals series. We put pressure on ourselves to do that and avoid the disappointment.
"I'm not that interested in the tit-for-tat (with Longmuir). The equation is simple, both clubs are in the same situation. You win or you're out... We just have to win."
The 2016 premiership coach says he enjoys being involved in must-win games at the pointy end of an AFL season, but refuted the idea that playing at their home ground, Marvel Stadium, would give them a significant advantage.
However, Fremantle have been pummelled in their last two outings against the Bulldogs in Victoria, losing by 67 points in Round 14 last year and by a convincing 29-point margin in Round 16, 2023. The Dockers exacted revenge at Optus Stadium in Round 4 this year with a 16-point win, though Marcus Bontempelli was notably absent from that match.
"We're always pretty happy to be there (in must-win games). We put ourselves in situations to at least give ourselves a chance to play a finals series," Beveridge said.
"We've dropped too many elimination finals, mostly away from home, or against teams on their home ground, and we've always said that doesn't matter.
"This game is at Marvel Stadium, and I've always said that clubs love playing at Marvel Stadium. You come into a stadium with a roof on it, conditions are unbelievably sterile, and you can do what you want.
"We always feel like we lose a home-ground advantage, but we've been able to chalk up some really strong wins there over the years."
For neutral fans, this high-stakes clash is as exciting as it gets, as an early precursor to what will surely be a thrilling finals series. The first bounce will get things underway between the sides at 3:15pm (AEST) on Sunday.
