Fremantle and Hawthorn meet next Sunday in Launceston in what is the biggest game of the year, but Freo Dockers coach Ross Lyon says the match won't feature the two best teams in the competition.
The Hawks, who have won the last two flags, are currently sitting fourth following their fifth-straight win, while the Freo Dockers are two games clear on top of the ladder.
But after Freo registered their 12th win of the season over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, Lyon was keen to play down the hype surrounding next week.
Ross Lyon post match Q & A
"That's your opinion, it's not mine," Lyon said when asked if he thought Hawthorn and Fremantle were the two best sides in the league.
"I think we're a good team. After 13 weeks, or whatever it is, the win loss tells you we're a pretty good team and we know they are.
"Clearly the best two? I think that's subjective. It's an opinion business but I think you're going to see two pretty good teams running around."
Fremantle has only beaten Hawthorn once under Lyon, in round 21 last season at Domain Stadium and the Freo Dockers have never beaten the Hawks in seven meetings at Aurora Stadium.
"Hawthorn is a really good team," Lyon said.
"I thought Collingwood were fantastic (on Friday night). They pressured Hawthorn really well. That's going to be our challenge, not to play circle work and really pressure them and get into a contest.
"That will be the aim. We know they've been the benchmark team - three Grand Finals, two premierships.
"They've had a couple of their own challenges. I'm sure we'll be up to the challenge, and it's one we're looking forward to."
Lyon was reasonably pleased following his side's 36-point win over the Lions despite the visitors being right in the contest for three quarters.
The Freo Dockers came through the match unscathed although Lyon revealed that skipper Matthew Pavlich was nearly withdrawn from the side pre-match due to a bout of gastro.
Pavlich battled on to kick three goals in the wet, after failing to kick a goal in his previous three matches.
"He was really crook," Lyon said.
"He had some severe gastro. He was throwing up at half-time (and) pre-game.
"So it just speaks volumes to his character. I thought he played well. That was a positive. We were always confident he was going to hit the scoreboard."
