Fremantle's goal efficiency is a huge concern for Dockers fans going into the finals series.
Speaking on The Outer Wing, hosted by Mark Stevens and Digby Beacham, presented by TAB Touch, Beacham highlighted the Dockers' goal kicking as a huge concern.
"They need to tidy up their kicking for goal. That is still a little bit of a concern of mine," he said.
"Their finishing hasn't been as efficient as what we were seeing earlier in the year."
Since the bye, the Dockers have kicked 80.80, and have left plenty of goals on the table.
Although he remains confident in Fremantle's talented on-ballers, Beacham commented on how consistency across an entire match is the final piece Fremantle needs to be a contending premiership team.
"We need to see Fremantle play 120 minutes of really solid, complete football. It's not something they've been able to churn out in the last six to eight weeks. They've been a bit hit and miss."
He then commented on why Saturday's game against Melbourne at the MCG carries so much weight.
"Use this game as the perfect dress rehearsal for what the football industry expects will take place in late September," he said
"It's a Saturday afternoon game at the MCG against a formidable opponent, one that really relishes playing at the home of football."
Beacham argued the Dockers should approach the game with the same intensity and focus as a grand final, describing it as the perfect opportunity to prove they can perform on football's biggest stage.
"For Fremantle, surely you implore the players and everyone involved with the football club to treat this as if this is a grand final," Beacham said.
The four premiership points are important, but the bigger prize is Fremantle's confidence that comes with winning at the MCG against a quality opponent. Beacham believes a strong performance would allow the Dockers to "tick that MCG box" before finals arrive.
The discussion also turned to the atmosphere surrounding a potential Grand Final Wharfie Time. Mark Stevens argued the AFL should resist the temptation to overcomplicate the occasion.
"I'm a believer that a grand final is a generic game," he said
"No silly songs, no country road, pure football."
Beacham agreed that the Grand Final should remain a neutral event, acknowledging how important Wharfie Time is to die-hard Fremantle fans, but suggested the club's attention should remain on winning games.
"The Fremantle fans love it. It's part of their identity, their DNA," he said.
"But I'd just like to see them worry about things on the field at the moment and worry about that a little bit later."
