The weather gods have smiled on Fremantle and coach Justin Longmuir is confident his group can overcome a lack of AFL finals experience in a date with destiny against the Western Bulldogs.
The Dockers have struggled in wet and slippery conditions this season, and the initial forecast for Saturday in Perth was for up to 15mm of rain.
The forecast has been downgraded with now just 1-3mm of rain expected for Perth on Saturday, most likely earlier in the day.
Fremantle's biggest challenge now is overcoming finals nerves.
Of the 22 players selected for Saturday night's match, only Michael Walters, David Mundy, Rory Lobb, and James Aish have finals experience.
Fremantle's squad includes one-game forward Jye Amiss, who was a shock inclusion to cover the loss of skipper Nat Fyfe (hamstring).
Longmuir, who will be coaching his first final, said the player group have eagerly leaned on the club's few experienced heads this week.
"We've tried to learn off Fyfe's experiences, Dave's experiences in finals and big games," Longmuir said.
"You can't make up finals experience, so you've got to start somewhere.
"This week will be the first experience for a lot of our players.
"All I can judge is their demeanour at the club (this week), and they've been really engaged, they've trained with good intensity and purpose.
"Win, lose or draw we'll learn from it and use that experience to grow us."
The Optus Stadium turf took a battering in July after the venue hosted a multitude of soccer and AFL games in short succession during periods of intense rain.
But the venue's turf has improved dramatically given that no games have been played on it over the past three weeks.
Long periods of sunshine in Perth over that period has also helped.
"It hasn't had any traffic for a while now given that both WA teams played away in the last round," Longmuir said of the turf.
"I expect the footing to be a bit better."
The Bulldogs recalled key back Alex Keath, Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen and Toby McLean for Josh Bruce (dropped), Tom Liberatore (hamstring) and Taylor Duryea (personal reasons).
The Dockers welcomed back Rory Lobb (shoulder), Griffin Logue (adductor) and Amiss for Fyfe (hamstring), Lloyd Meek (dropped) and Bailey Banfield (dropped).
