Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin not panicking as ageing Dockers try to win historic flag

LUKE McPharlin insists Fremantle isn't running out of time to claim a flag despite the Dockers taking the oldest list into the 2014 season.

Time could be running out for Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin.

VETERAN defender Luke McPharlin insists Fremantle aren't running out of time to claim a breakthrough flag despite the Dockers taking the oldest list in the AFL into the 2014 season.

Fremantle's premiership window has only just opened, but the club's four oldest players are also among their most important, with Matthew Pavlich (32), Aaron Sandilands (31), Ryan Crowley (30) and McPharlin (32) all in the twilights of their career.

But McPharlin, speaking before tomorrow night's season-opener against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, dismissed suggestions the Dockers had to strike now.

"I don't see it as running out of time," McPharlin said.

"For me, obviously I'm near the end of my career, but I don't think 'This should happen now', or 'I want it to happen now'. It's just the way it is."

"I think any team in any given season can progress and become a finalist or even a grand finalist."

EVERY SUPERCOACH PRE-SEASON SCORE

McPharlin said it was a sign of Fremantle's reputation that it was given the privilege of opening the season against the Pies, adding the Dockers had shred their phobia of playing away from home under Ross Lyon.

Time could be running out for Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin.

Fremantle has won five of its six appearances at Etihad Stadium since Lyon took over.

"Ross has driven a pretty strong philosophy of 'anytime, anywhere' and I think we've lost a lot of the fear of playing in hostile environments around Australia off the back of that," he said.

"We've felt that, with the combination of a strong game plan and training plan that we can feel confident to play at any venue at any time."

SYLVIA AMONG FREO TRAVELLING PARTY

One man who has felt confident this pre-season is injury-prone ruckman Aaron Sandilands, whose return to fitness best reflects the side's superior state of health compared to this time last year.

"We had a few injury issues early in the season last year, but at this point to have, particularly those senior players available, is great for us," McPharlin said.

"(Sandilands) has had a wretched run the last few years and I think a lot of people forgot just how good he is. In recent weeks he's been in super form and he gives us an enormous advantage in stoppage areas.

"To have a figure of 7ft tall and 120kg on the field is certainly an advantage, but we have to capitalise on that."