Fremantle have put a particular focus on the second quarter domination by Melbourne from the last time the two teams met in preparation for Friday night’s important clash at Optus Stadium.

Melbourne (second) and Fremantle (fifth) have their top four aspirations on the line with only four points separating the Dees and Carlton in seventh on the ladder. 

Fremantle will be hoping for a repeat performance of their 38-point victory in round 11 at the MCG, but that game included a second term where Melbourne kicked 4.6 (30) to Fremantle’s 1.1 (7).

Senior Coach Justin Longmuir highlighted Melbourne's blistering start last week against the Western Bulldogs before the Dogs came back to win by 10 points.

“The second quarter, we looked at it again and they got their game going and we couldn’t stop it,” Longmuir said.

“We need to make sure we put more consistent effort and performance on the board. Our players should believe they can get the job done. The scoreboard starts nil all again, so we have to get to work.

“To look at their win loss is probably fraught with danger. Their best footy when they get on top in the game is really strong. They kicked 74 points in the first half last week, which is dominant.

“We’ve looked at their best footy and it’s going to be a real challenge for us.”

Longmuir is hopeful that Freo will have Rory Lobb return from a chest injury in time to bolster the forwardline that will come up against Steven May and Jake Lever.

“Rory hasn’t got the final tick off but he’s pretty close, there’s always a little bit of doubt,” Longmuir said.

“He’ll get that checked out today and we’re pretty confident.”

Longmuir said there would likely be multiple changes when he was asked if Lobb would come in as a straight swap for Nat Fyfe, who has a hamstring injury.

“That could be the case at the moment (Lobb for Fyfe), we haven’t finalised selection but there’s likely to be a couple of changes,” Longmuir said.

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