Dockers ready to pop Blues
Fremantle star Nat Fyfe expects his teammates will "pop" against Carlton at Patersons Stadium tomorrow night as they try to return to their ruthless best.
Fyfe said the Dockers had completed a robust review of the surprise 58-point loss to St Kilda on July 19 and were ready to move on. He said he was feeling refreshed after enjoying a bye last weekend.
"The players had a long period of time to stew over what happened and really assess what happened," Fyfe said.
"Everyone is open to feedback and we are really brutally honest in our assessment on each other and we're used to that now and embrace that.
"It's something we haven't had to do all too much in (coach) Ross' (Lyon) time here and hopefully something we won't have to do again. I know the feeling on the track today was excitement and really keen to get back to our best footy. I'm sure the guys will really pop come game day."
Aaron Sandilands (back), Hayden Ballantyne (suspension) and Stephen Hill (quad) are certain inclusions for the clash with the Blues, while veteran Luke McPharlin trained strongly yesterday after calf soreness against St Kilda.
Despite the loss to the Saints, Fyfe believed Fremantle were in good shape five weeks from the finals. But he said Saturday night's game between Sydney and Hawthorn had shown them the standard required. The AFL yesterday confirmed the Dockers' round-23 clash at home against Port Adelaide would start at 1.10pm on Saturday, August 30.
"The important part about this time of the year is to be playing good footy and to have a good, healthy list," Fyfe said.
"I think we are heading towards both of those things.
"The game against St Kilda was a little bit of a speed hump in that map. But we're confident that our best footy is good enough to get it done. We've got some tough games coming up, Geelong away, the Hawks here and obviously Port Adelaide is going to be a huge game to finish."
Michael Walters (ankle) moved well as he joined the main group at training yesterday and has been listed as a week away, while Clancee Pearce (hip) did a running program away from his teammates as he faces three weeks on the sidelines. Alex Silvagni (ribs) and Garrick Ibbotson (calf) trained yesterday and are available.
