Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says his side’s recent losing run against Hawthorn won’t count for anything in Saturday’s AFL grand final at the MCG.
The Hawks have won their past four matches against Fremantle, including a 42-point triumph in Launceston in round four.
Fremantle were missing the likes of Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin and Zac Clarke that day, and Lyon says prior form wouldn’t mean much come Saturday.
“They smacked us down in Lonnie the last couple of times, so I’m sure they’re pretty confident,” Lyon said on Monday.
“But Geelong smacked us in round 14 down there (at Simonds Stadium) and then we went down there and turned the tables (in the qualifying final).
“We’ve evolved a fair bit since earlier in the year, both personnel wise and even the way we play.
“And we certainly can offer more of an offensive threat than we did in the past.
“Our stoppage work is at the highest order at the minute and we know our defence stands up, so we think we’re in pretty good shape to challenge the best home and away team of the year.”