Payback will be on Fremantle’s mind when they lock horns with Adelaide on Saturday, but star midfielder David Mundy says the Dockers can ill afford to have any lapses if they are to come away with the win.
Adelaide overcame a 29-point deficit to beat Fremantle by 10 points in last year’s semi-final at AAMI Stadium.
The Crows staged another remarkable fightback last week when they booted the last five goals of the match to beat North Melbourne by a single point.
Fremantle have lost their past three matches to Adelaide, and Mundy said the Dockers needed to put in a four-quarter effort to get over the line.
“We really owe Adelaide a little bit. They’ve had the wood over us recently,” Mundy said.
“All the games were a little bit different in terms of how they got over us. But in all the games we just lapsed for 10 or 15 minutes, and that’s all it takes against a really good side.
“Obviously they’ve got some powerful, explosive players in (the middle).
“We’re going to have to be a really tight midfield group to get across the line there.”
Fremantle were dominant in their 90-point trouncing of Melbourne last week.
But after leading by 71 points at half-time, the Dockers were outscored in the third quarter.
Coach Ross Lyon wasn’t happy with the drop-off in intensity, and Mundy said the players needed to improve their consistency.
“I think we’ve played only one consistent four-quarter game this year, and that’s something we’re continually trying to improve on,” Mundy said.
“It’s been those 10-minute lapses in concentration and effort that have really cost the team.
“That will be our major focus.”
Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich (plantaris) is almost certain to miss the game against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in order to give him another fortnight to build up his fitness following surgery.
But skillful midfielder Stephen Hill is on track to return from a quad injury.
The Crows made a shaky start to the year, but are now just six competition points adrift of the fourth-placed Dockers.