IN THE early rounds of the 2012 season, Ross Lyon's mantra that Fremantle needed to be an "anyone, anywhere, anytime" team was already rubbing off on his players.
Young leaders Matt de Boer and Chris Mayne would repeat the line whenever they fronted the media before one of the club's fortnightly interstate trips.
It's a necessary mindset for a much-travelled WA team and it is set to receive its biggest test against Geelong at Simonds Stadium in the most intriguing and pivotal match of the first week in this year's finals series.
Politics and attendance consequences aside, the AFL's decision to hold the match at Geelong's home ground is a potential game changer this September.
It is a decision that would have blind-sided Fremantle, which in its preparations for a potential Melbourne final would only have been considering the MCG or Etihad Stadium as battlegrounds.
Following its last gasp win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, Geelong has now won 49 of its last 51 games at Simonds Stadium, including a 41-point procession against the Dockers in round 14.
In the past five seasons, Fremantle has played 19 games at Etihad Stadium, 11 at the MCG and two at Simonds Stadium.
Maybe the Geelong venue is one that will suit their style. Who would know?
Their preparation for Saturday's final is what makes the clash so intriguing, with up to 13 changes possible after Lyon "played the percentages" and chose to rest key players in round 23 against St Kilda.
There's no doubt Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin and Hayden Ballantyne, among others, would have benefited from a bruise-free weekend.
Geelong, meanwhile, was given no such luxury against a fiery Brisbane Lions team that pushed the Cats to the final siren. Still, they finished round 23 as the narrow premiership favourites, given their recent record against Hawthorn.
The stakes are high on Saturday afternoon, with a home preliminary final and an ideal path to the Grand Final on the line. West Coast (2006) was the last premier to lose in week one and go on to win the flag.
Of course, Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans will be playing for the same privilege on Friday night at the MCG, just seven days after meeting in round 23.
Paul Puopolo and Jarrad McVeigh fight for the ball in round seven when the Hawks comfortably defeated the Swans at the MCG. Picture: AFL Media
The Hawks won that clash by two goals, but the Match Review Panel will figure prominently in the early build-up, with Lance Franklin on report for rough conduct.
Hawthorn has won 11 of its last 12 games without 'Buddy', so a ban does not end its chances against the Swans, with an impressive spread of goalkickers a feature of the Hawks' season.
The Swans, meanwhile, have their own personnel issues and have slipped considerably in the pecking order over the last month as a result.
They, like Fremantle, need to win this weekend to avoid what would become a gruelling September that would involve three games in Melbourne in four weeks to make the Grand Final.
While the main fancies do battle, Collingwood will be looking to launch an unlikely premiership tilt against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
Of the bottom four teams in this year's finals series, the Magpies, who still boast an A-grade midfield, appear the only side capable of challenging the big boys.
History is against the 2010 premiers, however, with no side winning the flag from beyond fourth since the finals restructure in 2000. Adelaide (1997) is the only team to have won four finals and lift the cup.
However, in terms of attendance, the biggest drawing game of week one will be Richmond's clash against Carlton on Sunday at the MCG.
More than 90,000 people are expected to see the Tigers' first final since 2001, and it will be a grand occasion, even if neither side is considered capable of pushing deep into September.
The Blues, who grabbed Essendon's place in the top eight, have won 10 of their last 11 matches against the Tigers, so there is a sizeable hoodoo for Richmond to overcome.
A coach in 50 finals matches, Mick Malthouse will be coming up against Damien Hardwick in his first September game as coach – another battle that could prove pivotal.
Round 23 taught us that anything is possible, and we should prepare for surprises in the opening week of the finals.
As Ross Lyon also likes to say: "If history was a guide, none of us would turn up".
