The AFL challenges keep coming for Max Gawn, with Fremantle keen to tag-team the in-form Melbourne captain into submission.
Gawn shrugged off a tight calf and passed a late fitness test before he was best afield in last weekend's win over St Kilda.
The ruckman later revealed coach Simon Goodwin was also in his face pre-game, demanding to know whether Gawn was ready to perform.
Now Gawn goes up against former teammate Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy in Alice Springs on Sunday.
"I feel like we've got two genuine rucks that can tag-team (Gawn) and hopefully wear him down that way," said Dockers coach Justin Longmuir.
Goodwin's reply to that would probably be "good luck".
"He's pretty keen - Max is someone who does a lot of work on his opposition and he knows the quality he's coming up (against)," Goodwin said earlier on Thursday.
"They're different types of ruckmen ... he knows Luke incredibly well and Sean is a great tap ruckman.
"He'll be up for the challenge. The more responsibility you give to Max, generally he rises to the occasion."
Goodwin said Gawn had pulled up well from the St Kilda game.
"We'd never take a risk with Max - he carries 'corks' most weeks, as do a lot of rucks," Goodwin said.
"He's fully fit, raring to go and playing some amazing footy. (A rest) is more something we'll look at in the back half of the year."
Harrison Petty, who was subbed out late against the Saints with an ankle injury, will also be available.
Last weekend was only the second time this season Melbourne kicked 100 points in a game, and Goodwin wants them to maintain that momentum against Fremantle.
"When we look at Fremantle, we look at them as an incredibly strong footy team," he said
"They're strong through the middle of the ground, their midfield is very dynamic and they're very well-structured in all phases of the game.
"I've seen some huge growth (in) how they're playing.
"We're really keen to put our best footy forward - we thought we took a step forward against St Kilda and the way we play, especially from a method perspective, and we want to put that on show again."
