Ross Lyon isn't looking ahead to Saturday night's huge clash against Adelaide as a litmus test of Fremantle's finals credentials, after the Fremantle Dockers climbed into the top eight with a gritty 35-point triumph over Carlton.
Lyon's outfit has surged from 18th after two losses to start the season up to fifth spot after six wins from their past seven games.
The Crows loom as the biggest challenge for the young Freo Dockers this season, although Lyon doesn't believe it will indicate whether his side is finals material.
"No, I don't think so. I wouldn't say it's a be all and end all game," Lyon said post-match.
"I think it's another part of the home and away series and it's another opportunity to grow.
"I've never looked at the ladder. Playing good football, training hard, delivering on action … it takes care of itself.
"Wins are a by-product of delivering on what you need to, so (I'm) certainly not looking ahead."
Lyon praised his troops for turning Sunday's contest around after the Blues burst out of the blocks with a 28-0 start.
Aaron Sandilands' influence in the ruck and Lachie Neale's hard work around stoppages were particularly telling as Freo dominated clearances (13-3) and contested ball (45-25) and closed within two points at the long break.
The Blues lost Sam Rowe (knee) early in the game and Dale Thomas (concussion) by half-time, and Freo ran away with the match with eight goals to two after half-time.
"It was really pleasing (after quarter-time). We were disappointed with our first quarter – it was the last thing we expected – we thought we'd planned and prepared, but to Carlton's credit they jumped out of the blocks," Lyon said.
"We adjusted accordingly at quarter-time and I thought from there we played very well and they persisted and fought (it) out.
"Carlton planned really well and they did some stuff (to stop us), and we've just got to get better at thinking on our feet."
Michael Walters' three-goal third term was instrumental, with his chase-down tackle on Lachie Plowman and follow-up goal drawing plaudits from Lyon.
But the coach was less effusive about tagger Connor Blakely's (33 disposals, five clearances) game opposed to Carlton skipper Marc Murphy (32, one goal).
"I think they shook hands and said goodbye – it's not exactly how we want him to play," Lyon said.
"He knows that and he was a little bit disappointed in some respects. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Fremantle escaped unscathed on the injury front on Sunday night, and Lyon was non-committal about Hayden Ballantyne's chances of a recall.
The veteran small forward was rusty early in his first game since pre-season in Peel's win over Perth on Saturday, but was a solid performer with two majors from 13 touches in just over a half of game time coming back from hamstring tendon surgery.
