Simpson's query over Fremantle's premiership push

With Fremantle in the box position to claim their first premiership in their AFL history, Adam Simpson has pondered whether the club has what it takes to go all the way.

The Dockers have set the standard this year, having been streets ahead of the competition.

Having only lost three games this season, the club picked up the minor premiership following their 24-point win over Adelaide on Friday night with a game to spare.

But having only had one finals’ win under coach Justin Longmuir’s seven seasons in charge, the former West Coast coach is unsure if they have the experience required to win the premiership in their first go in the top four.

“So, the question for me is they've won nothing, Fremantle,” Simpson said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“Can they win everything in one hit?

“I said this at the start of the year, and it could be proven well and truly wrong, but it feels like they're ready to lose a prelim.

“But they look like they're not bulletproof and the Kryptonite seems to be the ground level game in their D50 and for two weeks in a row they've looked vulnerable.”

With Fremantle locking up the minor premiership for only the second time in the club’s history, it sets up their best chance at winning their maiden AFL flag since 2015.

Currently, the Dockers are scheduled to play the Brisbane Lions in a qualifying final at Optus Stadium.

And with their lack of finals experience in comparison to the reigning back-to-back premiers who have appeared in the last seven finals series, the former West Coast coach believes they are capable of handling the occasion.

But does wonder whether they could be vulnerable to a potential loss in the first week.

“You play Brisbane first final, perhaps there is a vulnerability there around, ‘Oh jeez, this is real now, like we can almost touch that cup’,” he added.

“So, intriguing to see how they handle it.

“I feel like they're ready and the way they're handling these games seems to suggest they are, but it's a big step to go from nothing to everything.”

The Dockers close out their home and away campaign next Saturday when Fremantle travels east to take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

The match begins 1:15pm AEST (11:15am Perth time).