By Justin Chadwick
Eye contact will form a key part of Fremantle’s plan to dethrone Collingwood in front of the Magpie Army in Saturday night’s elimination final at the MCG.
About 90,000 fans are set to pack the MCG to watch the do-or-die clash, making it the second largest crowd Fremantle has ever played in front of.
Sean Darcy says eye contact will be important. Credit:Getty Images
The biggest was the 100,007 that watched Fremantle’s grand final loss to Hawthorn in 2013, followed by the 61,373 that witnessed the Dockers’ preliminary-final defeat to Sydney at Stadium Australia in 2006.
Last week, Dockers players could barely hear each other as 58,982 adoring fans cheered them on to victory in the 13-point elimination-final win over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy knows the crowd noise will be even more intense at a packed MCG on Saturday night, but said his team is now better prepared for it.
“Griffin Logue was about five metres away in last week’s game and I was yelling at him as loud as I could and he couldn’t hear me,” Darcy said.
“We’ve talked about it a lot since then. It’s not so much hearing, it’s more looking, pointing, understanding.
“You’ve got to be really turning your head and making eye contact with each of your players, so you can see what they’re talking about.”
Eighteen Fremantle players made their finals debut last week.
Their lack of experience on the big stage was clear to see early as the Bulldogs built a 42-1 lead.
Fremantle launched a brave comeback to snatch a famous victory and Darcy is confident the experience will hold the group in good stead this week.
“I was a bit nervous. I remember watching the first few finals (last week) and getting nervous watching that,” Darcy said.
“I think a lot of the boys were in the same boat going into the first final.
“It was good to get that out of the way and play some really good footy in the last half.”
Fit-again Fremantle forward Matt Taberner has been overlooked for selection, with the spearhead set to play in the WAFL for a second straight week.
It means two-gamer Jye Amiss, swingman Griffin Logue and Rory Lobb will be the three tall targets in attack.
Darcy said Dockers players were still being motivated by retiring veteran David Mundy, who is desperate to sign off with a flag.
“Dave’s done so much for our football club and every individual in the footy club,” Darcy said.
“We just want to play for Dave and put in as much effort as we can to get the win on the weekend.
“Everything we’re doing, it’s really for Dave to make sure he goes out well.”
AAP
