Perth is expected to cop heavy rain in the lead up to hosting the AFL's Second Elimination Final on Saturday night, with a chance of a thunderstorm expected on both Friday and Saturday this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
However, the prospect of a dewy Optus Stadium surface isn't scaring Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir, as his side looks to claim a repeat result of their clash with Gold Coast from earlier in the season.
The Dockers overcame wet conditions at People First Stadium in Round 12 to defeat the then 8-2 Suns by 11 points, laying a season-high 86 tackles, 20 of which came inside forward 50.
Fremantle's contested pressure was demonstrative in the win, claiming 28 forward half intercepts to Gold Coast's 19, and outscored the Suns from the source 39-3.
While the Suns have been lauded this season for their system's strengths in the humid and wet Queensland conditions, Longmuir says his side's efforts in these conditions this season highlight that the Dockers shouldn't be counted out.
"If it rains, it rains," Longmuir said to media on Thursday.
"I look forward to the rain. I think we're 5-0 in wet games this year; it suits the way we play.
"When the ball is on the ground more often than it is in the air, we've flourished in those conditions. We understand that the Suns have got some bulls in there and it leans into their strengths as well, but I back our guys in."
As seen back in their last meeting in Round 12, the head-to-head battle of the two midfields presents as the most intriguing tactical storyline in this game, especially as the looming conditions could shape the game into a scrappy affair.
Gold Coast's Noah Anderson was a man possessed that day, recording a ridiculous 12 clearances from 39 disposals, 22 of which were contested. However, Fremantle's star midfield duo also dominated in the conditions, with Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong combining for 57 disposals, a goal and 11 clearances.
Among the seven players to register at 25 disposals that day, Brayshaw's efficiency of 80% was by far the highest on the field.
Longmuir noted how their last meeting in wet conditions "swung on contest", pointing to the ruck matchup as another area of importance if his side wishes to play into the second week of Finals.
"It's going to be a good battle. They've got a really strong ruckman in there who gives their mids first use, so we need to stop his influence to start with," Longmuir said.
"A lot has been spoken about Rowell and Anderson and how Miller complements them as well. It felt like we handled it for periods of the game up there last time, it felt like the game swung on the contest and swung on clearances a little bit."
Longmuir pointed out that his side may be better equipped than they were in their last Finals appearance to make the most of their position in the top eight, using the experience of 2022 to their personal advantage.
However, he was quick to dismiss that Gold Coast's lack of post-season experience would have much significance on the outcome.
"We're a bit more mature. Some of those guys back then were playing in their first final and were early in their careers as well," Longmuir said.
"They've obviously developed their bodies and footy and they're in a better position now. It's been a few years so we're keen to put our best foot forward.
"I've said all along, I think Gold Coast's brand of footy is finals-brand. They're really strong in the contest so I think that aspect of it will hold up. But you'll have to ask Dimma if the maturity is there.
"What I can say is our best footy has held up against the best sides as well. We had a good tussle with them up there on Gold Coast earlier in the year. I expect the game to play out in a similar way."
The elimination final between two of the AFL's remaining premiership-less sides gets underway at Optus Stadium on Saturday night at 7:35pm (AEST).
