Dockers lap up AFL finals pressure

They’re in danger of exiting the AFL flag race in straight sets, but Fremantle say they’re not melting under the finals heat heading into Saturday night’s cut-throat clash with Port Adelaide in Perth.

The Dockers started the season as one of the premiership favourites after pushing Hawthorn all the way in the 2013 decider.

But last week’s qualifying final loss to Sydney means Fremantle have no margin for error if they are to win the 2014 flag.

Fremantle will start warm favourites in Saturday’s semi-final against Port Adelaide, with the winner to take on Hawthorn at the MCG next week.

Star Dockers midfielder Nat Fyfe said his team was embracing the pressure of knockout finals football.

“I think since Ross Lyon has come over he’s really changed our mentality to be that anywhere, anytime team who thrive under adversity with our backs to the wall,” Fyfe said on Wednesday.

“Internally we speak about that resilience and you see the great sides that have been able to stack that over a number of years.

“That’s how we want to be known.”

Fyfe, who won the AFL Players Association’s MVP on Tuesday night, hopes fellow midfielder Michael Barlow will be fit to take on the Power.

Barlow was forced to wear a moon boot earlier this week after injuring his foot against the Swans.

“It takes a fair bit to keep Mick out of playing a game,” Fyfe said.

“He’s been walking around and doing his recovery and he’ll have until the last day to put his hand up to play.

“But I’d back him in to get up.”

One player almost certain to miss is Hayden Ballantyne, who underwent surgery on Monday after breaking his jaw for a second time.

“I saw his head on the TV yesterday and he was looking pretty crook,” Fyfe said.

“He’s a spiritual leader Ballaz, so we’ll lose a little bit in that respect, but confident we can cover him.”

Fyfe said Fremantle’s midfield were desperate to lift after producing a flat first-half against the Swans, with coach Ross Lyon particularly critical of their efforts.

“It stings a little bit when you hear the comments about how the midfield really held the team captive in the first half, and we’re all aware of that and acknowledge that,” Fyfe said.

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