Steve Harris denies preliminary final win is vindication for poaching Ross Lyon

FREMANTLE chairman Steve Harris won't says the Dockers' preliminary final win is vindication for poaching Ross Lyon.

FREMANTLE chairman Steve Harris wasn't about to claim vindication on poaching ace coach Ross Lyon when he was on the market two years ago after the Dockers crashed into a historic grand final against Hawthorn last night.

But, highly respected AFL commentator and triple Geelong premiership star Cameron Ling predicted Fremantle can beat the Hawks for a first ever Dockers flag.

“Absolutely. If they play like they did tonight, there’s no question they can win,” said Ling.

Harris would not be drawn on Lyon’s achievement in moulding Fremantle into a serious premiership contender inside just two years since he walked out on St Kilda and into the Dockers who had played just three finals series when he arrived.

Lyon moulded his Saints into a defensive power on the edge of premiership glory in similar fashion to the Dockers now as the stingiest outfit in the business conceding just an average of 69 points a game across Fremantle’s finest ever season.

Fremantle’s chillingly efficient defensive powers and stifling pressure is a significant weapon in prospects of upsetting the Hawks who are the highest scoring outfit this season with an average of 115 points an outing with firepower from Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and lively small forward genius Cyril Rioli.

“We’re focused on improvement,” said Harris.

“We didn’t set any specific targets about ladder position or anything like that.

“I know a lot of people expect that, but we just wanted to deliver and fulfil our potential.

“If you look at what we delivered tonight, we’re certainly fulfilling our potential.” 

Harris also joined a Lyon-imposed mantra of retaining a vital composure throughout the Dockers organisation ahead of the biggest week in Fremantle’s 19-year history.

“I’m not thinking beyond next Saturday night to be perfectly honest,” said the Dockers boss.

“We’re really pleased to be here and the players have fought really hard to be here and they deserve to play in a grand final, clearly.

“To make a grand final for the first time in 19 years is certainly historic and certainly special.

“But we’ve got to keep the focus. We’ve still got to be here next Saturday night, happy and smiling. We haven’t achieved it yet.”

Harris said impact from Fremantle’s drive into AFL prominence could take into seasons ahead for any financial effect on the Dockers business, despite record merchandise sales over the past fortnight since a stirring road victory against the odds over Geelong at Geelong to claim a first ever home preliminary final.

“In three or four year’s time, this will be a long distant memory and we’ve got to focus on what’s really important,” Harris said.

“It’s great for the business, but I think more in the long term.

“We’re a $42million revenue business and that is still skinny. The AFL run the finals series, so they sell the ickets, the AFL sell everything at the back end of the season.

“So yes it is great for the club, but it is more about long term in terms of financial success.”

Michael Barlow

Ling predicts Fremantle can stop the Hawks with the relentless defensive pressure the Dockers can apply to the star studded Hawks.

“If they sustain that pressure that they applied in the first half, they will make it hard for any team,” Ling elaborated.

“They’re a very good team and they have proved themselves all season as a very good team.”

Ling, who was one of the game’s finest defensive on-ballers through his distinguished Geelong career as a triple Cats premiership star, wants brilliant Dockers tagger Ryan Crowley to take on Hawks gun play-maker Sam Mitchell.

Mitchell, 30, was standout best afield with 38 possessions in the Hawks epic five-point win over Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

“It would probably have to be Mitchell, just with the damage that he did against Geelong. He’d be best suited for Mitchell,” said Ling.