FREMANTLE defender Jordan Clark says the Dockers have full confidence in Brennan Cox to fill a key role in Saturday's Grand Final if the experienced backman is recalled for his first game in more than a month.
Cox suffered a calf injury against Carlton in the final game of the home-and-away season but has been declared available to return after training well on Wednesday and flying into Melbourne with the team on Thursday afternoon.
The Dockers, who touched down just after 3pm AEST, will name their Grand Final team on Thursday evening, with a decision looming between Cox and fellow key defender Oscar McDonald.
Clark said he would have full confidence in whichever player he lines up alongside at the MCG in the Dockers' first Grand Final since 2013, and the team would wrap its arms around the players that miss out.
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"Absolutely. Coxy's been a wonderful player for us since I've been at the club and before my time. If he comes in, or whichever way it falls, I'm confident in both players," Clark said at Melbourne airport.
"There's always a heartbreak story, and unfortunately it's what happens every year. It's one of those things where you just wrap your arms around them.
"However it falls, we'll wrap our arms around whoever it is and they're still part of us."
Cox got through main training strongly on Wednesday and completed match simulation, lining up on both Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy and impressing.
He was pulled out of last week's WAFL Grand Final to ensure he had a full week of preparation to make himself available for a fairytale Grand Final call-up.
The Dockers have travelled with a squad of 27 players, with Cox flying alongside the full team of 23 that beat Sydney in last Friday night's preliminary final as well as small defender Brandon Walker, half-forward Chris Scerri and midfielder Jaeger O'Meara.
Perth airport was abuzz on Thursday with Fremantle fans flying east on commercial and charter flights, with the Purple Haze descending on Melbourne.
Clark said the Dockers were approaching an historic Grand Final as "just another game of footy that we're pretty excited to play in" and sticking to the processes that had served them well through a brilliant season.
Forecast rain for Grand Final day was not a concern for the team, while the AFL's decision to approve Wharfie Time was an early win.
"It's better than not being approved," Clark said. "It's been a remarkable thing for the club and for football this year, so if it gets a run it gets a run and that'll be pretty cool."