FREMANTLE will enter Friday night's semi-final against Adelaide with the strongest midfield it has fielded this season and a goal to strip the Crows of their clearance edge, according to Nat Fyfe.
Adelaide has dominated clearances in its two wins over Fremantle this season, winning the important indicator by 17 in round 10 and 21 when the sides last met in round 20.
Fremantle was without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands in round 20, however, and Fyfe was a late withdrawal after he slipped on a suitcase in his hotel room the morning of the match.
The midfield has enjoyed a strong month with Sandilands back in the team, and Fyfe said reversing the Crows' stoppage domination would be a focus at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.
"They were really dangerous last time (and) they dominated us in the clearances, so it's something we'll definitely look at this week and try and get on top of," Fyfe said on Tuesday.
"They've got a quality midfield. They're really potent and they use their legs really well and drive out of stoppages.
"They win a lot of clearances, but hopefully with Aaron (Sandilands), David (Mundy), myself and Stephen Hill, we'll be able to get on top in that area.
"We're starting to get some continuity back with our midfield group playing regular games together. We're starting to click."
Sandilands has returned from a toe injury to average 38 hit-outs in his past four games and drive a midfield that has also been boosted by Mundy's season-best form.
Run-with specialist Ryan Crowley has tagged All Australian nominee Scott Thompson in both clashes this season, holding him to 18 and 16 disposals.
Fyfe said it would also be important to restrict star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, who has averaged 33 disposals and kicked three goals across his two games against Fremantle this season.
"He picks the ball up and starts running and makes something happen every time," Fyfe said of the explosive 22-year-old.
"He's just such a strong player. A lot of the time when you think the ball's dead, he's able to create something out of nothing. We're aware of that and will try to stop that this week.
"I'm sure Ross (Lyon) will decide to shut one player down using Ryan (Crowley) and the rest will still have a responsibility to take care of their midfield."
Fremantle has a six-day preparation for Friday night's match and the team trained lightly at Fremantle Oval on Tuesday, with Adam McPhee a notable absentee.
Fyfe and key defender Zac Dawson ran laps while captain Matthew Pavlich completed light work away from the main group.
Midfielder Matt de Boer said a shorter preparation was not an issue for the players.
"Throughout the season we've got our preparation down pat on six-day turnarounds and we're not going to change anything," he said.
"We fly out tomorrow (Wednesday), which is pretty standard as well, so we'll just stick to our guns and hopefully it stands up."
Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
