Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has pledged his support to Flagmantle and the Brownlow Medallist says Justin Longmuir's men can win the championship this season.
The Dockers fought their way back into the top four after a crushing thrashing of Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday. They face West Coast, Essendon, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide on the road home as they look to secure a double chance for the first time since 2015.
Fremantle's dominance over the Demons began in the midfield, with Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson getting the ball first to the midfielders and breaking records with their clearances. Combined with an electrifying run from the centre-back, the Dockers posted their second highest score of the season.
When asked if Fremantle could win the flag, Buckley answered emphatically.
“Yes, they can. I think so,” he told SEN.
“They still need to perform consistently against the best teams and we won't see that until September. But with their midfield and their running at the back when Frederick and Switkowski play, they are a really dangerous team.”
Fremantle's second win over Melbourne this season also convinced well-known critic David King.
King was vocal about his lack of faith in the Dockers when they played conservative football, but King has been a huge fan of the team's attacking approach since they thrashed the Demons in the first week of June.
The Dockers averaged 76 points in their first 11 games, rising to 100 points in their last seven. King said Fremantle had become a formidable side by handballing forward to create pace and taking risks after losing the ball.
King is convinced that the team is now a serious contender in the AFL.
“This can take them far,” he told Fox Footy.
“It travels. It can go to the MCG. It can go to Sydney. We saw it go to Sydney. It can go to Brisbane.
“I don't care where they end up in the table, if they want to play like that they are a force. 64 points from the defensive half is the most for Freo since round six in 2010. That's a long, long time. There are a lot of football games in between.
“Let's hope that's the model, but regardless, they're threatening. Whether this year or next year, they're threatening on a large scale.”