FREMANTLE is under no illusions it has to match St Kilda's pressure and intensity if it is any chance on Saturday night, and assistant coach Todd Curley says it's a challenge the club is looking forward to.

After losing the contested possession count against the Bulldogs (127-119) and Essendon (127-100), Fremantle broke even against Adelaide in round three.

St Kilda has won the contested ball count in all three of its wins, but Curley says it is an area of Fremantle's game that is receiving plenty of attention.

"It’s something we’ve improved on and certainly improved on last week," Curley said before the side departed Perth on Friday.

"[The Saints'] strength has been their contested ball and their tackle pressure. We’ve got to try and match that if we can.

"We know we need 22 guys to play their role if we’re to be a chance and that’s probably no different to any game."

Curley said giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands was an ace up Fremantle's sleeve against St Kilda's ruck combination of Michael Gardiner and Steven King.

The competition's tallest player has 86 hit-outs for the season, the equal of Gardiner and King combined, but is yet to push forward and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard.

"There’s no doubt that our big ruckman is really turning in great leadership," Curley said.

"He’s going to get the opportunity to give us first use of the footy and hopefully we can really capitalise on that.

"He’s probably coming to terms with most clubs [going] third-man-up against him so it’s a pretty physically taxing day for him as well. He’s looking to get better in all areas so hopefully he can lead us on the weekend."

Curley hinted that support from young ruckman Zac Clarke wasn't far away. The draftee has been impressing in the WAFL in his debut season.

"He’s certainly been progressing really well. He’s a great young athlete," Curley said.

"We’ll sit down next week and have a look at who we’re going to come up against. If he fits into the plans then he might get a chance.

"Spider (Clarke) has been in pretty good form and Kep (Bradley) has probably been down in the last two weeks, but he was good before that."

Clayton Hinkley and Chris Mayne both travelled with the side, but Curley denied there was a cloud over defender Roger Hayden, who is set to play his first game for the season after a hamstring injury.

Mayne is still at least two weeks away from playing but Curley said a trip for the young forward was a boost while he recovered from an ankle injury.