Fremantle stopper Ryan Crowley looks set for a battle with Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell

SAM Mitchell better get some sleep this week, he's going to need it.

Ryan Crowley

SAM Mitchell better get some sleep this week, he's going to need it.

The chances are, he'll Fremantle’s super stopper Ryan Crowley awaiting him on Saturday, and if that’s the case he’s in for one hell of a Grand Final experience.

Crowley was every bit the “in your face” tagger last night that opposition teams hate and his teammates love, and his latest “victim” was Sydney captain Kieren Jack.

Jack would have known from the moment he ran onto Patersons Stadium that he was destined to see his No.15 counterpart head directly to him, and that’s exactly how it panned out.

Parting Shots - Dockers v Swans

And so began the personal battles of wills and words that Crowley seems to revel in.

One of Jack’s early touches - one of only six he had in the first half - came from a free kick and Crowley’s early frustration would have been magnified when David Mundy gave away a soft 50m penalty as well.

But it all amounted to nothing and the hard-working tagger clearly had the best of his opponent in the first half, having 15 touches to Jack’s six.

And Crowley let his opponent know about it every opportunity he got.

When the Swans star uncharacteristically dropped an overhead mark deep in the Dockers’ attacking zone, Crowley immediately began motioning to his head to indicate that he thought Jack had ducked his head.

For a man whose fierce attack on the ball has never be questioned, it would have frustrated the hell out of Jack.

That was the exactly the purpose of Ryan’s retort.

The pair were still exchanging words at the conclusion of the first quarter, as Fremantle fans were left wondering how such a dominant first term had resulted in only an eight point quarter time lead.

They shouldn’t have worried – the game was effectively over at half-time when the Dockers held the Swans goal-less in the second term and kicked five of their own.

It wasn’t just words that were hurting Jack. Crowley’s actions were, too.

Dockers too strong for Swans

A couple of fine defensive marks when Jack took him forward were far more damaging than dialogue and even more frustrating was Crowley’s 50m goal during the second term.

That moment brought about some predictable push and shoving between the pair, with other antagonists from both sides coming in to offer their support.

Crowley’s goal brought the Purple Army to its feet with a wild roar reserved for someone who has made the most of his chances and looms as a key player in Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn.

Crowley’s father Larry, when interviewed on Channel Seven at the half-time break, was insistent that Ryan would never intentionally question Jack’s courage - it was simply a part of the mind games.

But, with the Dockers up by 39 points at the long interval, his dad was comfortable enough to give coach Ross Lyon kudos for the way in which he has transformed this Fremantle side.

“Anyone who thought Ross Lyon footy is not exciting, they have got to be kidding themselves,” Larry Crowley said. “This is as exciting as it gets.”

Asked if his son had a nasty streak, he said: “I don’t think he is nasty at all; it’s his job.”

And Ryan Crowley carried that job on in the second half as Fremantle continued on with its relentless pressure.

Even when the game was done and dusted, the Dockers threw everything at the contest, mindful of sticking to the game plan for as long as they could. They know no other way.