‘Unsung heroes’ who could make Freo’s flag difference as duo reveal secrets behind rises

Fremantle’s stars have already done their bit.

Now, according to Dockers centurion Lee Spurr, it’s the players at the bottom of the team’s pecking order who’ll determine whether the club finally breaks through for its maiden AFL premiership.

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The minor premiers have already rewritten the record books with a 19-win regular season, their best membership count ever and several record-breaking crowds — including an AFL record for most consecutive games with 50,000-plus fans.

The club also claimed a record five All-Australian blazers, with the likes of AFL ‘unicorn’ Luke Jackson and last year’s Rising Star Murphy Reid leading the way.

But the biggest part of Fremantle’s ladder rise has been their quiet achievers — the players who come in and do a role without the fanfare.

Freo won't be 'ambushed' by Swans | 02:33

The likes of Neil Erasmus, Matt Johnson, Karl Worner, Heath Chapman and co.

They’re the players, according to Spurr, who’ll prove the difference in a premiership push.

“When you collectively look at any side that had sustained success over the journey – you look at Hawthorn’s three-peat, Geelong how they have done it, Richmond, Brisbane – the players that are the top tier, top line and front page of the paper, they always break even or win their spot,” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“It’s your bottom six to eight players — and I say that with all due respect — that really dictate whether you win finals … If they win their position and beat their opponent and contribute, collectively as a six or eight, they are going to win you a Grand Final or a finals game.

“There’s so much responsibility on those six or eight players. They are the ones that really dictate how you go against the other top four sides at the pointy edge of the season. And those players have handled that pressure really well. They’ve had career-best years, they’ve absorbed and improved their game.

“You speak about the unsung heroes, but they don’t need to do anything different heading into finals.

“Just focus on what’s worked for them.”

The likes of Worner, Erasmus and Isaiah Dudley have played all 25 games for Fremantle this season.

Chapman and Johnson sit at 24 in a season where the club has enjoyed a short injury list.

“The coaches don’t let us get ahead of ourselves,” Erasmus shared with foxfooty.com.au.

“The coaches made it really easy for us to determine how to play a role and what that means.

“We don’t judge our games on what a lot of people look at — disposals and all those stats. Attention to detail in my role has been a big focus of me playing on a wing.

“It’s not really my No. 1 spot but I’m working closely with the coaches to make sure I’m doing what’s required for the team.

“I’m a realist, I know the boys we’ve got in there (in the midfield). It’s exceptional, the talent in the guts. I’m just fortunate to be getting some time on the wing.”

Erasmus puts his form down to a hot summer pre-season where he was determined to win a spot in the final 23 after years of battling to stay in the side.

“It’s been a tough journey. I’ve always been in and out more than anyone at the club really,” he said.

“You just want to put your best foot forward, get your body in the best condition and work closely with our line coaches to give them what they want.

“We’ve got such a healthy list and great competition for spots.

“He (coach Justin Longmuir) has been really honest with me. Probably a few years ago, he just saw me as a bit more of an inside player.

“I went away and worked quite closely on a few things in my game and that allowed me to play on the outside a bit, built that trust up.”

Another Docker who has built Longmuir’s trust is Johnson, who the coach has turned to time and time again for lockdown roles against the AFL’s best.

Speaking to foxfooty.com.au, Johnson admitted there were nerves for his first-ever final.

“Last week there was probably a few nerves that came with the first final and a bit of expectation,” he said.

“For me personally, I settled into the week a bit better. The focus was really clear and I think that’s what shone on the day.

“Our preparation was done well. We tapped into what makes us a good footy team.”

As for the message moving forward into the prelim against Sydney?

“Keep playing to win, don’t shy away … Don’t take the foot off the gas,” he said of Longmuir’s message.

“We’ve always dreamt big.

“It’s nice to be in this position — it never seemed out of the realms of possibility ever since I came to the club.

“It almost feels like our hard work has just come to the top of the crop now. It’s been building for years.”