It’s fair to say Fremantle are living the dream.
A string of dream results over the weekend and a dream run home has left the Dockers in the box seat to secure a coveted top-four AFL berth.
The Dockers moved into fourth spot following their 36-point win over Carlton and Essendon’s 79-point capitulation at the hands of Collingwood.
Fremantle have been gifted a perfect draw in the run to the finals, with the club taking on GWS (home), Melbourne (MCG), Port Adelaide (home) and St Kilda (Etihad Stadium) over the final four rounds.
The Dockers will also be boosted by the return from suspension of skipper Matthew Pavlich this week, while All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin (calf) could be back in a fortnight.
Fremantle have been ravaged by injuries to key players this season.
But their ability to maintain winning form despite having to rely on a host of fringe players has left them well primed for a premiership assault.
Slip-ups from fellow top-four sides Geelong and Hawthorn over the weekend has even opened the door for Fremantle to snare a top-two berth, although it’s more likely they’ll finish either third or fourth.
Fremantle have established themselves as the best defensive side in the competition under renowned tactician Ross Lyon.
Lyon’s ability to get the best out of fringe players has also proven pivotal in Fremantle’s charge to a second straight finals series.
Ryan Crowley, Clancee Pearce and Michael Walters were on the verge of the AFL scrapheap two years ago.
But under Lyon, the trio are in career-best form, with Crowley and Walters a chance to snare All-Australian honours this year.
Nick Suban, Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Zac Clarke and Lee Spurr are some of the other players who have flourished under Lyon.
Fremantle have lacked a genuine spearhead in attack for most of this season.
But if ruckman Aaron Sandilands and Pavlich can regain something close to their best form over the next month, then the Dockers should possess all of the ingredients needed for September success.
Playing away from home no longer holds any fears for Fremantle.
And after beating Geelong in an elimination final at the MCG last year, the Dockers know they have what it takes to thrive on the biggest stage.
Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong remain the teams on everyone’s lips when it comes to premiership talk.
Fremantle are more than content to fly under the radar while they plan for their own premiership push, with Lyon no doubt eager to snare an elusive flag after two close misses with St Kilda.