FREMANTLE has preached 'anywhere, anytime' under Ross Lyon.

The Dockers have lived that mantra so well that the 'anywhere' could be the MCG, and the 'anytime' could be Grand Final day.

The team that has been described as once the competition's quirky aunt, could be the AFL's premiers by the end of September.

To be premiers, however, they must first win a preliminary final against the Swans and then win at the MCG.

It's dangerous to make assumptions in finals, but let's assume for a moment Fremantle progress to the Grand Final.

The Dockers history at the MCG makes for interesting reading. They've won there just 12 times in 41 attempts.

Fremantle's first ever match was at the MCG in round one, 1995 against Richmond. The Dockers lost that day by five points and suffered nine more losses before their first win at football's mecca in 1999.

The Dockers performances have been streaky at the venue since. They won eight out of 11 at the MCG under Chris Connolly between 2003 and 2007.

But the club lost the next 10 at the venue before Ross Lyon arrived.

Under Lyon, the Dockers have won three out of five matches at the MCG including last year's cut-throat elimination final against then reigning premiers Geelong. The Dockers have also won five out of six at Etihad Stadium – the only loss coming in round 23 when Lyon rested 11 players.

According to Lyon, history means nothing.

His side showed that against Geelong in the qualifying final. The Cats had won 43 of their last 44 at Simonds Stadium and the Dockers had won there just once in 13 visits. That history meant nothing as Fremantle left Geelong victorious with a week off to prepare for a home preliminary final.

If the Dockers were to meet the Cats in the Grand Final they would be supremely confident having beaten Geelong in the past two finals encounters, both in Victoria.


Should they meet Hawthorn, however, such confidence could erode pretty quickly.   

The Dockers have lost seven of their last eight to Hawthorn. One of those losses was at the MCG in 2011 and the only win was at Patersons Stadium, albeit in an elimination final in 2010.

The Dockers have only beaten Hawthorn seven times in 19 seasons in the AFL, and only twice in Melbourne at the now extinct Waverley Park in 1997 and at Etihad Stadium in 2001.

History may mean nothing to the Dockers and their overall history against Hawthorn won’t concern them, but one stat will worry the Dockers in regards to the Hawks.

In 47 games under Lyon the Dockers have conceded just 73 points per match.

In 45 matches against all opponents other than Hawthorn that average drops to 71.

In two matches against Hawthorn, both at Aurora Stadium, the Dockers have conceded 119 and 118 points.  

Hawthorn could hold the secret to unlocking the Dockers defence, but the Hawks must first break the Kennett curse to get there.

History will be created one way or another, and all roads point to the MCG.