Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has brushed off Brisbane's flop against GWS, labelling it an anomaly ahead of Saturday's clash with the defending premiers at the Gabba.
Big questions were raised about Brisbane's prospects of snaring a third straight AFL flag after they conceded 14 goals in the third quarter of last week's 78-point loss to GWS.
In contrast, Fremantle (10-1) are now premiership favourites after putting together a club-record 10-match winning run to move one win clear on top of the table.
The Dockers will make the trip to Brisbane without star midfielder Hayden Young, who is sidelined for a third match with concussion.
That's on top of fellow gun midfielder Caleb Serong still missing with a calf injury.
But the big focus on Saturday will be on how Brisbane (6-5) bounce back from the worst third quarter in VFL/AFL history.
Longmuir isn't looking too deeply into it, with the seventh-year coach of the firm belief the Lions won't produce a repeat effort this week.
Couldn't pick our favourite goal from the third quarter, so here's all of them. pic.twitter.com/ydjdw9Lz15
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) May 25, 2026
"For me, it's a bit of an anomaly, a third quarter like that," Longmuir said on Thursday.
"We just prepare for the trends more than an anomaly like that.
"I don't know whether the weekend makes me any more wary - I'm wary of them anytime. They beat us last year here.
"They've shown this year already why they're the reigning premiers. They've played some really good footy across the course of the year. I expect them to be at their best."
Brisbane were dealt a big blow this week when it was revealed veteran Dayne Zorko will miss another six weeks with an ongoing quad injury.
But the Lions welcome back Jarrod Berry (calf) and Noah Answerth (concussion), while the Dockers have been boosted by the return of skipper Alex Pearce (knee).
Injury-prone ruckman Sean Darcy will return from a calf injury via the WAFL, with the 27-year-old slated to play about 80 minutes for Peel Thunder.
"It's really important for his fitness build to get through his 80 minutes, knock a bit of rust off his ruck craft," Longmuir said.
"I'm sure everyone's interested in how many weeks we intend to leave him in the WAFL.
"We haven't really made those decisions. He's got to build his fitness and build his form, and earn a spot in the team."
If Darcy can hit some good WAFL form he will challenge Mason Cox for the No.2 ruck role behind in-form big man Luke Jackson, who is in All-Australian form.
