Dockers not treating trip to MCG any differently as AFL finals loom

Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir is adopting a pragmatic approach to the team's upcoming match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), emphasizing that the game itself, not the venue, is the focus.

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I just don't get caught up in dress rehearsals.

"I just don't get caught up in dress rehearsals," Longmuir said. "We feel like we've played there enough, had good experiences, had some average experiences there, but beaten teams that have been on top of the ladder."

Despite the game's timing and location offering a potential preview of the AFL grand final, Longmuir insists the team's sole objective is to perform against Melbourne. He stressed that looking beyond the immediate match would be disrespectful to the upcoming contest and that the MCG holds no particular fear for the Dockers.

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We feel like we've played there enough, had good experiences, had some average experiences there, but beaten teams that have been on top of the ladder.

"It's not the be-all and end-all either. We've had plenty of experiences at MCG and it shouldn't hold any fears for us," he added.

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We feel like it's not a burden going to the MCG now. [We] go to Melbourne every second week, nearly, so we feel like that's not a burden either.

Longmuir also commented on the speculation surrounding assistant coach Jaymie Graham's potential move to head coaching roles at Essendon or Carlton. He expressed confidence in Graham's professionalism and ability to balance his current responsibilities with external interviews. Longmuir indicated that any decisions regarding Graham's departure or continued involvement would be made "in due course" if an offer were made.

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We're going over there to give our best and all we've got, to play and improve our footy against Melbourne, who we know have played some really good footy there.