Fremantle should be chock-full of confidence leading into the 2025 AFL Finals, with Sunday's 15-point win over the Western Bulldogs improving their strong record against top-nine sides.
The victory at Marvel Stadium saw the Dockers claim seven wins out of 10 matches over the top nine sides, as they await a home elimination final against Hawthorn or Gold Coast.
Coach Justin Longmuir was in awe of his side's ability to win the contest, which will be necessary in September.
"The thing that holds us in really good stead, and the thing that gave us really good confidence coming into this game, is that our record against the top nine sides has been better than our record against the teams lower than us.
"We seem to play our best footy against the better teams, as you saw for periods of tonight.
"I think we've had seven wins against the top nine sides now. The players will get a lot of belief and confidence out of that.
"Contested games seem to suit us, so yeah, we are looking forward to it (finals football)."
Despite the forward prowess led by Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss and Jye Amiss, Longmuir stopped and recognised the efforts of his defensive group.
Although they conceded 97 points, the Bulldogs' key forwards, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, were well held, with the latter being kept goalless for the first time this year, barring his injury in Round 6.
"They were all pretty solid," Longmuir said.
"I thought they all had some pretty key moments in the game.
"Coxy was probably the pick of the bunch in terms of being one player who jumped into the game the way we wanted to.
"He was playing decisively and was really strong in the contest early.
"Pearcy had the job on Darcy most of the night and held him goalless, which I couldn't imagine has happened too much this year."
The Dockers will be without utility Corey Wagner for the interim after indications of a "little tear to his pec", while the club will have a nervous wait on Caleb Serong, who was penalised for head-high contact on Jordan Croft in the final term.
Serong made a legitimate play on the ball, but collected Croft, who was awarded a free-kick and a shot at goal.
Is Caleb Serong in trouble for this high hit on Jordan Croft?
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The young Bulldog played out the remainder of the game.
