Fremantle Dockers to fly to South Australia the day before Port Adelaide clash amid change to routine
The Dockers traditionally fly interstate two days before their games, arriving at their destination at night. The team then has meetings and a captain's run the day before the match and flies home straight after the game.
But a 7.40pm start in South Australia means they need to stay overnight in Adelaide after the match.
In an attempt to still spend only two nights away, the club has decided that their charter flight will leave Perth early on Friday and the squad will then hold the Captain's Run on the same day.
Fremantle could face a similar scenario in the last game of the season with a strong possibility they will be scheduled to play against the Western Bulldogs in Victoria on the Sunday night.
That match is looming as the last game of the round given it will have a massive impact on ladder positions.
The Dockers stuck to their usual pre-game routine for a night game against St Kilda, got thrashed by 61 points and then lost at home the following week too after staying an extra night in Victoria.
Fremantle have a six-day break before next week's home game against Brisbane and flying home on Sunday will also impact their preparation for that match.
West Coast have flown interstate the day before night matches several times this season in an attempt to reduce their time away from home.
Dockers defender Jordan Clark said some players had already decided to catch an earlier flight on Thursday so they could have their normal interstate routine, but he will be on the charter flight.
'I'm still travelling with the team. I prefer to stay an extra night in my own bed. I'm a bit of a home body,' he said.
'A few of the senior players have decided they want to go the night before. But whether it's landing late on a Thursday night or landing at 10 on a Friday morning, I don't think there's too much of a difference.'
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