Longmuir insists Dockers have nothing to prove ahead of top-four clash with Hawks

Key facts

• Fremantle have won seven consecutive games under coach Justin Longmuir.
• The Dockers face Hawthorn on Thursday night at Optus Stadium in Round 9.
• Hawthorn is undefeated since Opening Round, with a draw against Collingwood in Round 8.
• Fremantle went 5-3 against top-eight teams in 2024, beating Hawthorn by 13 points in their only meeting.
• Defender Judd McVee is set to return, bringing Fremantle close to full strength.
• Rival coach Sam Mitchell called Fremantle 'probably the form team of the competition'.
• Fremantle have beaten 2024 finalists Adelaide and Collingwood this season.

Longmuir dismisses 'prove something' narrative

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has insisted his team has nothing to prove as they prepare for Thursday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium. The Dockers enter the match on a seven-game winning streak, their best run under Longmuir, and face their first opportunity this season to beat a team currently in the top four. “We don't have to prove anything to anyone,” Longmuir said on Tuesday. “We just need to see where our footy stacks up. It's another opportunity for us to try and improve.” The coach framed the clash as a measure of his team's own progress rather than a statement to critics. “I don't feel like we need to go out there and prove anything to anyone. It will be another indicator of where our footy is at, win, lose or draw.”

Hawks arrive as form team, but Longmuir unfazed

Hawthorn have not lost since their Opening Round defeat to Greater Western Sydney, and are coming off a draw against Collingwood. Rival coach Sam Mitchell described Fremantle as “probably the form team of the competition” on Tuesday, but Longmuir dismissed the favourite-underdog dynamic. “I don't really look at that. I feel like an underdog going into every game,” he said. “We prepare for the opposition's best and make sure we're up to any challenge that gets thrown at us and there'll be another great challenge this week.” Longmuir noted that Hawthorn's form across all phases of the game appears strong. “They're in good form. It looks like all phases of their game are in pretty good order.”

Dockers close to full strength with McVee return

Defender Judd McVee is set to return for Thursday's game, bringing Fremantle close to a full-strength lineup. The Dockers have built their seven-game winning run despite injuries, and the return of McVee adds depth to a side that has beaten 2024 finalists Adelaide and Collingwood this season. Director of Performance Adam Beard provided an injury update ahead of the round, though specific details on other players were not disclosed. Fremantle's ability to manage fitness has been a key factor in their strong start to the season.

History favours Dockers against top-eight sides

Fremantle went 5-3 against top-eight teams during the 2024 home-and-away season, including a 13-point win over Hawthorn in their only meeting at Optus Stadium in round 18. That record underpins Longmuir's confidence that his team can match the Hawks. “Last year we played our best footy against the better sides,” he said. “So I don't feel like we need to go out there and prove anything to anyone.” The Dockers have already beaten two 2024 finalists this season, suggesting their form against quality opposition is sustainable.

What's at stake: top-four test and momentum

Thursday's match is Fremantle's first chance to beat a current top-four team, and a win would solidify their credentials as a genuine premiership contender. The Hawks, meanwhile, are seeking to extend their unbeaten run and maintain pressure on the competition leaders. Longmuir's approach is to treat the game as another step in his team's development. “We understand the opposition, understand their strengths, understand what our footy is about,” he said. The outcome will provide a clear indicator of where Fremantle stands against the AFL's elite.

Longmuir's underdog mentality fuels Dockers

Despite his team's winning streak, Longmuir continues to adopt an underdog mindset. “I feel like an underdog going into every game,” he repeated, a stance that has resonated with his players. The coach's ability to keep his team grounded while they chase a top-four scalp has been a hallmark of their recent success. Fremantle's seven-game run is their best under Longmuir, and a victory against Hawthorn would extend it to eight. But the coach remains focused on process over outcome. “We just need to see where our footy stacks up.”

The bottom line

• Justin Longmuir says Fremantle have nothing to prove ahead of Thursday's top-four clash with Hawthorn.
• The Dockers are on a seven-game winning streak, their best under Longmuir.
• Hawthorn are undefeated since Opening Round and are coming off a draw with Collingwood.
• Defender Judd McVee will return, bringing Fremantle close to full strength.
• Fremantle went 5-3 against top-eight teams in 2024, including a win over Hawthorn.
• Longmuir treats every game as an underdog, focusing on improvement rather than external validation.