Fremantle’s younger players are expected to embrace performing on the game’s biggest stage, according to senior coach Ross Lyon.
Fremantle face Melbourne on Saturday for the first of two games at the MCG in the home and away season, and Lyon expects the team to adapt to playing on the ground’s wider expanses.
“Maybe it’s couch grass instead of whatever we have here,” Lyon said.
“(The ground) might be a little bit wider and the stands are a little bit higher.
“It’s certainly where the ultimate final is played and you need to be mentally tough and not use it as an excuse.”
In round three, Fremantle fielded a younger side and broke through for their first win of the season against the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium.
This weekend will be first at the ground for some of those younger players, and Lyon is confident his charges will make the most of the experience.
“That’s what we’re aiming to do, it’s a different environment but you need to mentally prepare yourself for that,” Lyon said.
“Most AFL teams can do that quite consistently.
“I’d be disappointed if we said that we got to the MCG and we were a bit intimidated.
“We’d like our guys to be excited, you’re talking about guys like Griffin Logue and Brady Grey – they should be excited by that.
“We’ve got some experienced guys that really led the way last week and that’s the expectation again.”
