Markets 
Justin Chadwick
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has brushed off Brisbane’s flop against GWS, labelling it an anomaly ahead of Saturday’s clash with the defending premiers at the Gabba.
Big questions were raised about Brisbane’s prospects of snaring a third straight AFL flag after they conceded 14 goals in the third quarter of last week’s 78-point loss to GWS.
In contrast, Fremantle (10-1) are now premiership favourites after putting together a club-record 10-match winning run to move one win clear on top of the table.
The Dockers are set to make the trip to Brisbane without star midfielder Hayden Young, who is likely to be sidelined for a third match with concussion.
That’s on top of fellow gun midfielder Caleb Serong still missing with a calf injury.
But the big focus on Saturday will be on how Brisbane (6-5) bounce back from the worst third quarter in VFL/AFL history.
“They’ve shown this year already why they’re the reigning premiers … I expect them to be at their best.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir on the Brisbane Lions
Longmuir isn’t looking too deeply into it, with the seventh-year coach of the firm belief the Lions won’t produce a repeat effort this week.
“For me, it’s a bit of an anomaly, a third quarter like that,” Longmuir said on Thursday.
“We just prepare for the trends more than an anomaly like that.
“I don’t know whether the weekend makes me any more wary – I’m wary of them anytime. They beat us last year here.
“They’ve shown this year already why they’re the reigning premiers. They’ve played some really good footy across the course of the year. I expect them to be at their best.”
Longmuir said he was more hopeful than confident Young would play against the Lions, but the odds look slim given the Dockers don’t want to take any risks.
However, the news is better for skipper Alex Pearce, who will return after missing two games with a knee injury.
Injury-prone ruckman Sean Darcy will return from a calf injury via the WAFL, with the 27-year-old slated to play about 80 minutes for Peel Thunder.
“It’s really important for his fitness build to get through his 80 minutes, knock a bit of rust off his ruck craft,” Longmuir said.
“I’m sure everyone’s interested in how many weeks we intend to leave him in the WAFL.
“We haven’t really made those decisions. He’s got to build his fitness and build his form, and earn a spot in the team.”
If Darcy can hit some good WAFL form he will challenge Mason Cox for the No.2 ruck role behind in-form big man Luke Jackson, who is in All-Australian form.
AAP
From our partners
Read the full article here
