Dockers coach Ross Lyon claims the underdog tag but insists his team can win

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon knows his club is the "underdog" in against Hawthorn, but insists the Dockers can still win.

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon knows his club will be the "underdog" in Saturday's AFL Grand Final against Hawthorn at the MCG, but insists the Dockers are a real chance of winning their maiden premiership.

Speaking after the 25-point preliminary final win over Sydney at Pattersons Stadium, Lyon said his players were up for the challenge of performing on football' most searing stage.

"It is pleasing to get into the Grand Final, we have a challenge in front of us, but it is one we are up for," Lyon said.

Lyon said Hawthorn deserved to have top billing in terms of their home-and-away season, but said anything can happen in the heat of September action.

"There will be no doubt we will be underdogs ... we have to travel," he said. "They (Hawthorn) have clearly been the best home-and-away team for the year on wins and losses.

"But it is not about the best home-and-away team, it is about the best finals team.

"And we have had two significant performances, in particular, the Geelong (win), it was significant in cracking open the opportunity.

"We go over (to Melbourne) knowing our best can challenge anyone."

Lyon will coach in his fourth AFL Grand Final on Saturday - 2009, the 2010 drawn match and the 2010 replay - but said his focus was on the team and not his record of near-misses on the last Saturday in September.

"The past is irrelevant," he said. "My past is irrelevant, it is not my game.

Ryan Crowley

"What does it mean? It means another opportunity, they are hard to get, so 16 other clubs would like to be in Hawthorn and Fremantle's position.

"For me, as a coach, I would like for this club to win a premiership ... if we don't win, I won't be satisfied."

Lyon said the Dockers had a clean bill of health out of last night's game, with defender Michael Johnson (calf) and Luke McPharlin (adductor) finishing out the game.