Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow has endured plenty of adversity and heartache on his way to this year’s grand final.

But he’s quick to point out that he’s not the only one to have struggled to make it to the big stage.

Barlow’s career was put on hold for almost a year after he snapped the tibia and fibula in his left leg just 13 games into his AFL career.

The image of Barlow trying to stand on his horrifically broken leg in the game against Port Adelaide in 2010 made for squirmy viewing.

The 25-year-old was second favourite to win the Brownlow at the time, but it took him another two years before he was able to play pain free and hit top form again.

Barlow has been at his prolific best this year, helping Fremantle set up a date with Hawthorn in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG.

The 189cm midfielder, who was overlooked in five national drafts before being snapped up by Fremantle with pick No.8 in the 2010 rookie draft, admitted it was tough coming back from a broken leg.

But he said the Dockers’ team was full of players who had overcome challenges to achieve their dreams.

“There were definitely parts of the rehab that were really mentally draining and mentally a struggle,” Barlow said.

“But across our list there’s a lot of stories like that – a lot off the rookie list.

“I think this weekend we’ll probably have eight or nine off the rookie list in our 22, and not too many top-end draft picks.

“I think that’s a really strong aspect of the group and our desire to play together and play for each other.”

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, Matt de Boer, Clancee Pearce and Lee Spurr have all become success stories after starting their career on the rookie list.

Pearce will miss the grand final due to an Achilles tendon injury, but the others are all set for crucial roles in the decider.

Hawthorn thumped Fremantle by 42 points when the teams met in round four this year.

Although Barlow rates Hawthorn as the competition’s best side over the past two years, he said Fremantle would put up a far tougher fight in Saturday’s re-match.

“When we played them earlier on in the year, we had a pretty poor result and a pretty poor game,” Barlow said.

“It was probably our worst performance of the year barring the St Kilda game (when we rested half of our squad).

“Hawthorn will be trying to find deficiencies in our armour and hopefully they don’t find them because hopefully we will really be on top of our game.”