Lachie Schultz says Fremantle have a lot to play for against Port Adelaide on Sunday at Optus Stadium despite their season being mathematically over.
The third-placed Power have plenty on the line sitting in third place on the ladder with the first and second placed Magpies and Lions doing battle on Friday night.
It means Fremantle stand in their way for a potential double final, however Schultz said he and his teammates had their own motivation.
“We went back to the drawing board after coming out of the bye and having a really disappointing month and a half,” Schultz told SEN WA.
“We recomposed ourselves to see what we can get out of the rest of the season (and take) a bit of momentum out of the end of this year into next year.
“There's no reason why we can't take it to Port this weekend. It's probably going to be another contested battle inside. They have a young midfield exactly like ours so it will be an entertaining battle watching them go head-to-head.
“If we keep playing the footy that we are, and keep taking steps forward, then there's no reason why we can't get the job done.”
Schultz said Fremantle’s resurgence started in the midfield.
“We went back to basics and I think our contest has been the forefront of what's bought us back into games,” Schultz said.
“The boys in the midfield are getting it done again inside and then there's every opportunity up forward to put the score on the board and be competitive.”
It’s a mindset that’s seen the small forward play career-best footy in recent weeks, including a career-high five goals, 24 disposals and 10 contested possession performance in the RAC Derby where he was awarded the Glendinning-Allan Medal.
Schultz currently leads the AFL for tackles inside 50, and he said if he contributes defensively the rest of his game follows.
“Going into each game that's at the forefront of my mind. The harder I work in that area that the easier it will be for me to get into games,” Schultz said.
“I love a goal as well (but) getting into games starts with pressure, chasing, tackling and smothering or whatever I can do to help.”
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