Fremantle Defender Jordan Clark says his team is ready to embrace fight ahead with a spot in finals on the line.
After losing to Geelong by 11 points last weekend, the Dockers’ finals hopes are riding on the next two weeks’ results with must-win games against other finals contenders Port Adelaide and GWS.
The Dockers’ currently occupy sixth spot, with up to five sides breathing down their necks and a chance to knock them out of the top eight.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash against GWS at ENGIE Stadium, Clark says the next two weeks are a great opportunity for Fremantle to control their finals narrative.
“We would rather be in this position than the one we were last year and we’ve spoken about the other six or seven other teams that would rather be in our position than the one they’re in,” he told SportFM.
“We’ve got a great opportunity in front of us and we are super excited about it. We get to control the narrative.
“We’re playing some very good teams… If we can play some good footy in this month we still feel like we can be in good stead.
“It’s a great opportunity in front if us and as a group we cannot wait to get out there and try and force our way into finals.”
The Giants have peaked at the right time of the year and have won their last six games on the trot including wins against top eight sides Hawthorn and Brisbane.
Fremantle on the other hand has lost three of its last few games and have found themselves slip from third to the border of the top eight.
While the Giants are in better form, Clark says there is room for the Dockers sneaking through and get the win.
“We feel like if we play our best footy, we can get up there and match them a little bit and hopefully win the game,” he said.
“They’re in good form, but they have left the door open at times for teams and haven’t been able to put them away. That’s the difference that’s been made in three games that have been decided but under two goals or less.
“They’re around the mark and its not like they’re absolutely belting teams so if we get it right, I think we can match it with them.”
However, the Dockers have found themselves filling in the gaps with a number of ill-timed injuries to key players.
Captain Alex Pearce and star forward Josh Treacy have not been named in the squad for this weekend’s must-win clash due to injury, nor has ruck Sean Darcy after a late omission last weekend.
Instead, Liam Reidy will make his debut this weekend in Darcy’s place as a reward for his stellar WAFL form.
“He’s worked really hard on his game and he’s improved a lot in the two years he’s been on the list,” said Clark.
“I think he’s been really patient and banged down the door for a while now so I’d love him get his chance at the top level and see what he’s made of.”
IMAGE: AFL Photos