Fremantle will have to defy a 10-year trend to win the premiership after suffering the heaviest defeat of the season to Carlton on Saturday.
The Dockers’ fourth loss of the season did not affect their position on top of the ladder but did come at a cost, with Brennan Cox hurting a calf muscle early in the match.
The key defender will be sent for scans and is likely to miss at least the Dockers’ first final.
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Longmuir rested three of his regulars, including leading goal-kicker Jye Amiss, and managed game time for the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young.
But the coach was somewhat concerned with the manner of the defeat, noting Freo were “dominated” for long periods by a far more energetic and hungry opponent.
It was the biggest score Fremantle have conceded all season, resulting in their heaviest defeat.
The Western Bulldogs in 2016 were the last time to win the flag after losing in the final round.
“It was frustrating because we weren’t strong enough in the contest to be able to control the game,” Longmuir said.
“But I thought we got out of it pretty well in terms of what we wanted to do with minimising risk and game time.
“In the back of my mind I understand that we’ve got four players that are in our best 23, if not better, to come back into the side.
“So not all is lost and that was the message after the game.”
Young (23 disposals), Serong (23) and Brayshaw (21) battled hard, as did key forward Josh Treacy, who kicked three goals.
Meanwhile, if Carlton Josh Fraser is excited, he’s not showing it. Or at least he’s not getting carried away.
But Carlton’s army of supporters can dare to dream after watching their red-hot side surge into the AFL wildcard round with a stirring 37-point victory over minor premiers Fremantle.
The Blues signalled their finals intent with a commanding performance, overcoming an early four-goal deficit in the 18.11 (119) to 12.10 (82) win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
A blockbuster knockout clash with arch-rivals Collingwood could be next, depending on other results over the weekend.
The latest triumph continued Carlton’s remarkable resurgence under Fraser, who has piloted 11 wins and a draw in 14 games since taking the reins when the Blues were reeling at 1-8.
“We’ve got a method right now that is working for us and if we stray too far away from that there’s some danger attached to it,” Fraser said.
“As we keep building this brand and this identity, I still believe that we’ve got to attach ourselves to a process more than an outcome.
“With that said, this appears to be a group that just wants to embrace everything that comes our way, which I’m really excited about.
“Today was another example of that when you’re playing a team as good as Fremantle have been.”
Sam Walsh (31 disposals), Jagga Smith (31) and captain Patrick Cripps (24) were all at the forefront of Carlton’s dominance in the engine room against a lacklustre Fremantle, who had nothing riding on the result.
Marc Pittonet shone in the ruck, Francis Evans kicked a career-best five goals, and Brodie Kemp and Ben Ainsworth added three each.
But it was a defensive act that most excited the home fans, who rose as one to applaud Ollie Hollands’ run-down tackle on Dockers agitator Patrick Voss in the goal square.
“It was a really strong performance overall,” Fraser said.
“We managed the momentum of the game quite well, at times we had to embrace imperfection, which we’ve done well, and we had a really even spread of contributors across the ground.”
— with AAP
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