FREMANTLE'S Derby demolition of West Coast last Saturday was reminiscent of St Kilda at its peak under coach Ross Lyon, according to defender Zac Dawson.
Dawson played 63 games under Lyon at the Saints, including the 2009 and 2010 Grand Finals, before crossing to Fremantle late last year via the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.
The 26-year-old said Fremantle's fifth straight win, which saw West Coast held to just one goal at half time, was close to the high-pressure 'Saints footy' that saw Lyon's old club win 53 of 74 games between 2008 and 2010.
"I had a few friends call me over the weekend and say that was very similar to how the Saints used to play, which was a good thing because that's obviously a successful model," Dawson said on Wednesday.
"If we can continue to do that and get to anywhere near those heights it'd be very good for the group.
"There were stages throughout the start of the year where we did play that style, but it was probably for a quarter or two quarters here and there.
"The weekend was the first time we've played four quarters of that style."
Dawson will lead Fremantle's backline against Adelaide this Saturday after key defender Luke McPharlin's one-match ban for making forceful front-on contact was upheld at the Tribunal on Tuesday night.
He said the challenge for Freo was to prove its five-game winning streak was not a flash in the pan and it could uphold Lyon's game plan consistently.
"The last month (before West Coast) we played teams below us, but every week we feel like we've improved," he said.
"Our defensive side is really improving quite quickly, which Ross is really happy about.
"To beat a team above us on the weekend really has spurred the group on to prove a point that we can do that.
"This week's going to be a great challenge and hopefully we can do it again."
Dawson described McPharlin, who has played every game this year, as a big loss, but backed the club's depth, with Peter Faulks, Alex Silvagni and Antoni Grover all possible replacements.
With Kurt Tippett (concussion) expected to return and partner Taylor Walker in a potent Crows attack at AAMI Stadium, Dawson said Fremantle's defenders would face a big job.
"I've played on both at various stages in my career and they're both quality players (and) can turn the game," he said.
"When he (Tippett) gets a run and jump at the ball he's pretty hard to beat one-on-one because he's got such long arms and a good reach.
"It gives someone an opportunity to play on a quality player like those two, so hopefully someone can step up and do that."
Last Saturday's Derby was Dawson's first match back after a six-week knee injury, having torn his posterior cruciate ligament against Richmond in round 11.
The defender pushed unsuccessfully to return after three weeks but said he was feeling mentally and physically fresh now after a full recovery.
"It was a bit annoying but it's rejuvenated me for the year and hopefully I can finish off pretty well," he said.
Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
