The result of the Etihad Stadium encounter could decide if Freo makes the eight, but, while admitting the game was “enormous”, McPharlin said the club had to “stay in the moment”.
“It’s a big game no doubt about that,” he said.
“We can’t hide from that. We can’t shy away from that. But it’s just another game.
“We’ve prided ourselves on sticking to what’s in front of us. This week it’s North Melbourne and next week it’ll be Melbourne.”
The star defender said it had been the team’s mantra the entire season to focus on winning games that were right in front of it rather than thinking too far ahead.
“We try and not focus too much on what-ifs,” he said.
“We face what’s presented in front of us.
“The confidence we have developed over the year has been our ability to do that and stay in the moment.
“We’ll play this week, we’ll play next week, and the chips will fall where they may.”
