FREMANTLE has a "blueprint" to upset Brisbane in the Grand Final and clinch its first premiership, according to Lions great Michael Voss.

The Dockers are eyeing their first flag and looking to deny Brisbane a famous three-peat in the decider at the MCG on Saturday.

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Both teams have taken the long path to the decider after losing their qualifying finals, with the Lions downed by Sydney and the Dockers by Hawthorn in those clashes.

Voss, the captain of Brisbane's famous three-peat side of 2001-03, believes the Swans and Hawks, who pushed the Lions in a preliminary final classic, had shown the Dockers how they can come out on top.

"Maybe even one of the biggest tactical considerations they need to be able to consider coming into this game against Brisbane is that they have also had a blueprint on how to be able to at least challenge Brisbane," Voss said on AFL.com.au's Finals Film Room.

"Sydney was able to do it in the first final. Hawthorn did it late in the game (of the preliminary final).

"Against Hawthorn, it was a subtle change with the way they set the ground, when we talk about offence. Early in the game, (Hawthorn was) willing to run at the defence. But the difference was early, their forwards were up high. (It was) still productive (and) still worked.

"But you see how connected Brisbane's defence is. Given the fact that the forwards were staying high, the Brisbane defence stayed connected. And then for Hawthorn, they've got those options deep, (they must) know when to use the deep, or know when to lower their eyes and hit the short inside 50.

"It'll be a decision that Fremantle will face consistently. Again, the blueprint's there for them to go to work on.

"But late in the game ... in the fourth quarter, the forwards (were) able to create that space. They just create that transition space between the contest and the forwards. And a couple of midfielders just pop out forward of centre. And now it starts to stress the defence."

The Lions conceded the highest score in VFL/AFL history by a preliminary final winner, giving up 122 points to the Hawks.

Asked about Brisbane's defence, Voss said opposition forward structures were putting "stress" on the Lions.

"A lot of teams are structuring their forwards, it's just that little bit of separation," he said.

"It's putting a lot of stress on their high defenders and also their midfielders to be accountable."