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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick and Shayne Hope

Longmuir backs wobbly Dockers to find the target again

After recent kicking issues, Justin Longmuir's Dockers will embrace their Collingwood challenge. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

They've been the most wayward side over the past fortnight and Fremantle will have the eyes of the nation of them when they take on Collingwood under lights at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

The Dockers' wobbles in front of goal have reached red-alert levels over the past two weeks, with the side following up their 4.15 against Sydney with 9.18 against St Kilda last Saturday.

The usually-reliable Jye Amiss was one of the worst offenders last week with 2.5, while Hayden Young (0.3) and Michael Walters (0.2) were also wayward.

Forwards coach Jaymie Graham has been busy this week ensuring the Dockers straighten up in front of goal.

But coach Justin Longmuir also doesn't want to make too big a fuss about it.

"The forwards have a good discussion about it," Longmuir said.

"It's a fine balance between making a big deal out of it, and bringing it even further front of mind for the players, or focusing on the things that we're doing really well to allow us to get a lot of shots on goal.

"Two weeks is a borderline trend. I think we can snap out of it just as quickly as it came.

"I'm not saying we're just crossing our fingers and hoping it gets better.

"We've worked on it. We've had more shots on goal this week than we have the previous weeks, but I don't feel like it's a massive issue."

Fremantle have been boosted by the return of ruckman Sean Darcy from a calf injury.

Darcy's inclusion means Luke Jackson will spend longer stints up forward, where he will link up with Amiss and Josh Treacy in a powerful three-pronged attack.

Luke Jackson.
Luke Jackson puts on a sidestep during the win over the Saints. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

Collingwood have made five changes, with Ed Allan and former Sheffield Shield cricketer Wil Parker handed their AFL debuts.

Forward Brody Mihocek, Beau McCreery and Charlie Dean return to the side.

Jordan De Goey has been ruled out with an abdominal injury, while Reef McInnes (concussion), Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring), Oleg Markov (personal reasons) and Finlay Macrae (axed) are the other outs.

De Goey was the match-winner in last week's four-point victory over Adelaide, but Longmuir is taking nothing for granted.

"I'm not sad he's not going to be playing, but they've still got a lot of experience across all their lines," Longmuir said.

"They're definitely not a one-man band."

Collingwood (6-3-1) are unbeaten across their past seven games, posting six wins and a draw to move up to fifth on the table.

"They're one of the best teams obviously. They're the benchmark, so hopefully we can take it up to them," Jackson said.

"It will be massive and we'll have a full house hopefully of purple."

Fremantle are ninth with a 6-4 record.

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