It’s not quite Spy vs Spy stuff, but Fremantle coach Ross Lyon will be an interested onlooker when Collingwood and Hawthorn lock horns in Friday night’s AFL blockbuster at the MCG.
Lyon was a notable absentee when Fremantle flew to Melbourne on Friday afternoon, with the master coach instead boarding an earlier flight in order to make it in time for the Hawks-Pies clash.
The fourth-placed Dockers remain a big chance to snare second spot by season’s end, meaning they’re highly likely to face either Collingwood and/or Hawthorn at some point during the finals.
Fremantle are expected to encounter few problems against the Demons at the MCG on Sunday.
But football operations manager Chris Bond said the game would give the players a great chance to get another taste of the MCG, where the grand final is played.
The Dockers lost to Richmond by 27 points in their only other game at the venue this year.
“I think it’s good for the guys to get on the bus and go to the MCG and get to play on that ground,” said Bond, who filled in for Lyon at the coach’s scheduled press conference on Friday.
“The last time we played there, we didn’t get the result, so we need to make sure we do on Sunday.”
Fremantle have been boosted by the return of midfielder Stephen Hill, but defender Garrick Ibbotson will miss his third straight week due to a sore Achilles tendon.
Bond said Ibbotson was on track to return for next week’s home clash with Port Adelaide.
All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin (calf) isn’t expected to be fit to play until the final round of the season.
But Bond dismissed concerns the seven-week layoff would leave the 31-year-old short of touch and fitness leading into the finals.
“I don’t think there’s a big issue with that with Luke,” Bond said.