NO OPPOSITION midfield in the competition holds any fears for Fremantle's in-form on-ballers, Michael Barlow says.
The Dockers put together another devastating midfield display against West Coast on Sunday, helping to pile on nine goals in the first quarter to set up a comfortable 30-point win.
Freo's dominant display against the Eagles came just a week after the Dockers obliterated Geelong on the road at Simonds Stadium.
Barlow said the club's midfield depth was so strong that guys had to keep performing to remain in the team.
"We've basically played together as a midfield group for four or five years pretty consistently without any major injuries," Barlow said.
"As long as that can stay the case we're really confident we can match it with any other midfield in the competition.
"Even in saying that, we've got some really good competition for spots from the Peel Thunder performances over the past few weeks.
"No one in the AFL side at the moment sits comfortably with their position. We already look forward to next Saturday night with Sydney and playing well as a collective midfield."
Barlow said Freo's midfield depth would be severely tested this Saturday night against last year's Grand Finalists, who boast stars Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and Jarrad McVeigh in the middle.
"It's a really exciting prospect," Barlow said.
"Both teams are 3-0, and arguably it will be the match of the round.
"It's a great challenge for us. Just speaking of the midfield challenge, you don't have to look too much further than Sydney as one of the most effective midfields in the comp.
"It's a really diverse mixture as well. They've got a lot of players that can go through there a bit like us.
"It is very exciting and Ross alluded to that straight after the game. We do allow ourselves to enjoy a win and reflect on a win for the brief moments after the game but such is the industry, you have to look forward pretty quickly and not dwell on what's happened."
Barlow said it was important for the Dockers midfield to play their part in helping quell the influence of Swans' star Buddy Franklin.
"He's a star player of the competition, Buddy," Barlow said.
"He could've nearly kicked 10 on the weekend, I think. He kicked 5.5.
"Our defensive group is a very proud group and Luke (McPharlin) got the job done again on the weekend on Josh Kennedy.
"He'll prepare for Buddy and the rest of the team will be helping him out. The midfield will be doing the work to make sure it doesn't get in there too many times so he can't have too much of an impact on the scoreboard."
