Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow says the young Dockers side is relishing the challenge of taking on Geelong in Friday night's semi final clash at the MCG.
The injured Barlow, who hasn't played since breaking his leg in Round 14, had just joined up with his team-mates after they had flown over from Perth on Wednesday night.
But in just the short time he's spent back with the team, the 22-year-old was adamant the Dockers wouldn't be overwhelmed by taking on the experienced Cats, who are sure to be fired-up after their controversial loss to St Kilda last weekend.
"We're just really excited, not daunted by the challenge," Barlow declared.
"(We've been) hearing that Geelong are going to come out pretty fired up."
"But it's finals footy and so are Fremantle."
"As I said, we're just a young group, really excited by the challenge and I don't think any of the boys will be taking a backward step to what Geelong have to offer."
The Dockers are rank outsiders with the bookies against last year's premiers, going into the game as $6 underdogs as they struggle to deal with a knee injury to ruckman Aaron Sandilands and the fact they haven't played at the MCG all season.
But while Barlow was confident Sandilands was walking freely on Thursday morning - saying the 211cm giant will be his 'big, dopey self' come game day - the midfielder felt that Thursday's training session at the home of footy would be vital to settling some pre-game jitters.
"This afternoon will be really good just to get there and have a good familiarisation with the place," Barlow said as the Dockers look to win their first game at the MCG since Round 4, 2007.
"(We'll) have a look at the kind of aura of the place and then tomorrow night, you know they're a bit more used to it."
"On a personal note, I would love to play at the MCG, it's kind of a dream of everyone growing up playing junior footy that you want to play at the home of football."
"So, probably a little bit disappointed that we haven't had the chance to play there (this season) but that's really the way it's rolled out."
"And, it's just a patch of grass, same as Subiaco, Etihad Stadium, Deakin Reserve in Shepparton, so same kind of feeling."
Barlow said he could now put weight on the leg he sickeningly snapped late in Fremantle's big win over Port Adelaide last July, but said he won't do any strenuous activities like running or kicking before pre-season training.
Despite the injury, the midfielder still managed to pick up the AFL Player's Association Best First Year player award, although he admits it hurts seeing his team-mates embark on the club's first finals campaign since 2006 without him.
"The game days when Fremantle are playing, they're the tougher days in my rehabilitation so tomorrow night's probably going to be no different," he said.
"Probably, (it will be) a little bit more hitting home the fact that I can't contribute in a playing sense."
"But that's the hand I've been dealt and I'm just happy to be here with the team and being given the opportunity to stay over and be with the boys as they live their dreams tomorrow night."