Fremantle Dockers won’t take Melbourne lightly ahead of MCG challenge

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce is wary of the potential stumbling block confronting his side when they take on under-fire Melbourne on a rare visit to the MCG.

The Demons have faced a blowtorch amid their worst start to a season in 13 years, slumping to 0-5 as one of only two teams left winless entering round six.

Pressure is mounting on coach Simon Goodwin after a turbulent 18 months for the club, prompting president Brad Green to issue a letter to members this week.

Goodwin has vowed to steer the Demons out of the doldrums, insisting he’s never seen his players more united despite their troubles.

The ongoing saga has Pearce on guard for an on-field response from Melbourne as he leads his Dockers to the MCG on Saturday.

“We try not to buy into the narrative, but you look through their side and they’ve just got great players throughout,” Pearce told AAP.

“Teams who are under the pump normally bounce back, and they’re a good team, so I’m sure they will.

“But for us it’s about building off what we did (against Richmond last week) and trying to capture what we did in that second half.

“We’ll take some real confidence out of that game and we know that we’re still building towards bigger and better things.”

Melbourne’s engine room is still their biggest weapon, with ruck star Max Gawn leading alongside Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney.

But Pearce is buoyed by the form of Fremantle’s on-ball division after the strong return of ruckman Sean Darcy and star midfielder Hayden Young from injuries last week.

The pair shone in a third-straight victory for the Dockers (3-2), who boast a positive win-loss ledger for the first time this year.

“They’ve got Gawny and Clarrie (Oliver) in there and a few big bodies, but our midfield went really well and they’re starting to gel with Youngy back in there,” Pearce said.

“That’s really going to be important for us.”

Fremantle have been given just two premiership-season fixtures at the MCG this year and have a 3-2 record at the venue over the last two seasons.

They have also won four of their last five encounters with Melbourne, including both clashes last season and the last two meetings between the sides at the MCG - in 2022 and 2023.

“We’ve played well against them at the ‘G previously, so we’ll really enjoy that challenge,” Pearce said.

Fremantle recalled Oscar McDonald to face one of his former clubs in his first game since sustaining a serious knee injury more than a year ago.

He replaces Patrick Voss, who will miss three games through suspension.

The Demons made a big selection statement by axing premiership star Bayley Fritsch, key forward Jacob van Rooyen and first-year forward Jack Henderson.

Koltyn Tholstrup, former Lion Tom Fullarton and Daniel Turner were all called up for Melbourne.