Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says his team have been given a reality check following back-to-back losses against opposition lower on the AFL ladder.
The Dockers followed up a 36-point loss to Gold Coast with a 12.8 (80) to 6.8 (44) defeat to Collingwood in Perth on Sunday.
The pair of defeats has seen Fremantle (7-3) drop to fourth on the ladder ahead of Saturday's clash with defending premiers Melbourne at the MCG.
"It probably gives us a reality check to be honest," Longmuir said.
"We were riding high, and everyone was getting way ahead of themselves.
"You don't even need to get way ahead of yourself. If you get marginally ahead of yourself in footy, it gives you a reality check, and we've gotten that.
"When you're sitting closer to the top, teams bring their best, and if you're off in any part, you get what you deserve. So it's a reality check for us."
Collingwood improved their record to 5-5 ahead of a blockbuster clash with Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.
The Magpies were disappointing in their 48-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in round nine, and coach Craig McRae was proud of the way his team rebounded.
"We were disappointed with our efforts last week and we came here with a purpose," McRae said.
"We wanted to find our DNA and we set about early in the week to work out what that looked like.
"We came here (to Perth) with good optimism, but were playing a really good team, so you have to execute that part of your game.
"The great thing is our style stacks up in the wet. We want to be a territory team, which is what you do in the wet weather. We were smiling when it started raining, We like to play in the wet."
Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan earned the ire of Fremantle fans in the final term when he outmarked Brennan Cox and celebrated in front of the Dockers' faithful while he strolled in to kick the easiest of goals.
McRae couldn't help but smile when asked what he thought of the early celebration.
"What do you do there? You want them to be themselves," McRae said.
"Kick the goal and then celebrate with your teammates might be the message."
Magpies ruckman Mason Cox will be sent off for scans after dislocating his finger against the Dockers.
Carlton are riding high in third spot on the ladder with an 8-2 record following a four-match winning run.
