In what is shaping up to be a blockbuster end to the home-and-away season, Fremantle need either Hawthorn, Carlton or the Western Bulldogs to lose to have any hope of reaching the finals.
Hawthorn are hot favourites to defeat North Melbourne in Launceston on Saturday, but injury-hit Carlton face a tricky task against in-form St Kilda on Sunday, while the Bulldogs host a GWS outfit that is on a seven-match winning run.
If at least one of those results goes Fremantle's way, then the Dockers can secure a finals berth by beating second-placed Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday in what marks the last game of the regular season.
Second-placed Port Adelaide (pictured) will present a big challenge for the Dockers. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Longmuir wants his players to put their full attention into beating Port rather than going out of their way to watch the games involving Hawthorn, Carlton and the Bulldogs.Â
"I talk to them about sticking to our process," Longmuir told reporters on Thursday.
"If their process is sitting down and watching the footy, keep doing it. But if it's not, don't get drawn into it.
"Whether we're alive in the season or not, we still want to go out there and put our best foot forward.
"That's been the message to the players."
The coach says he will address the finals equation pre-game only so that his players have got "clarity".
If Fremantle are still alive by the time their game starts, Longmuir won't be using the finals carrot as motivation during the match.
"I'm not sure how much that actually helps players play better," he said.Â
"Usually if we're not playing well or if we start to drift, those outcome-based thoughts aren't helping them play better.
"So giving them more - I'm not sure if that's a motivation in the game.
"Our players are intrinsically motivated anyway. They want to go out and play well.Â
"It doesn't matter whether finals are on the line or not, they want to put their best foot forward and compete hard for four quarters."
Fremantle will again be without star forward Josh Treacy (knee) and captain Alex Pearce (arm), but veteran Michael Walters (hamstring) is a strong chance to return after making it through a WAFL game last week.
JT won't get up for this weekend's clash with Port Adelaide 🤕— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) #foreverfreoAugust 20, 2024
Ruckman Sean Darcy (knee) will be given some more fitness tests before a decision is made on his availability.
"He (Darcy) has improved, but he's not across the line yet," Longmuir said.
"He's got to get through training, and he's got to do a fair portion to prove himself.
"We won't take him in if he's not right. We'll get a good understanding of what he can get through and what his pain levels are, and we'll go from there."
The Dockers' inability to win close games has cost them dearly this season.
Out of eight games decided by 13 points or less, the Dockers have posted six losses, one draw and one win.
Their past three games have been heartbreaking losses to Essendon (one point), Geelong (11 points) and GWS (nine points).
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