The AFL's decision to schedule the clash at Geelong's traditional home ground, rather than Etihad Stadium, has been criticised this week for blindsiding the Dockers.
But as a political slight, it pales in comparison to the Lions' 2004 injustice, which saw them travel to the MCG to face Geelong in a preliminary final, despite finishing ahead of the Cats on the ladder.
That decision was forced on the Lions because of the AFL's contentious arrangement with the MCG at the time, but it saw the Lions record their greatest win on the road in Power's time at the club.
Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow this week said: "As far as we're concerned, it (Simonds Stadium) is a patch of grass and we'll go out and play our brand of footy".
Power, now an assistant coach with Greater Western Sydney, said that was the only approach the Dockers could take if they wanted to earn a home preliminary final.
"You can't change the cards you've been dealt, the AFL's decision is final," he told AFL.com.au.
"We had to put that aside in 2004 and focus on playing football and we were able to do that for a week.
"It's the only way you can treat it. You've just got to keep going through your routine and keep your procedures the same.
"Fremantle would be very good at it because they travel a lot."
Power believed Geelong had earned the right to play at Simonds Stadium and said the circumstances for Fremantle were significantly different to those faced by the Lions in 2004.
Indeed, Geelong secured the rights to a home final this week by finishing second on the ladder, but Fremantle would only have been considering Etihad Stadium and the MCG as possible venues, based on the AFL's agreement with those grounds.
The Dockers released a strongly worded statement ahead of round 23 as the AFL considered its fixturing for week one of the finals.
President Steve Harris said it was "inconceivable" Simonds Stadium would host a final likely to attract 40,000 to 50,000 people if it were played at Etihad Stadium or the MCG.
Once the announcement was made, however, chief executive Steve Rosich put a full stop to the debate from the club's perspective.
"What a great opportunity for us to play in a qualifying final with the opportunity to play off for a home preliminary final," he said.
"That's the focus of everyone at the footy club now."
On Tuesday, coach Ross Lyon said: "I haven't seen the ground get a kick yet [and] I haven't seen the crowd get a kick yet".
He even compared the venue to Patersons Stadium, saying it was similar, "just a bit narrower". In theory, that should suit the Dockers' defensive game style.
Fremantle's greatest win to date was its elimination final triumph against Geelong last September at the MCG. It has a chance to trump that on Saturday.
The Lions were unable to kick on after their great win over the Cats in 2004, losing the Grand Final against a Port Adelaide side that Power stressed was better on the day and a deserving premier.
The win against Geelong, however, with the odds stacked against them, remains "pretty special".
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
