BOTH coaches have had plenty to say in the lead-up to tonight's big clash between Fremantle and Carlton and while they've had differing viewpoints, Mark Harvey believes it has been good for the game.

On Wednesday, Brett Ratten questioned the wisdom of Harvey's decision to rest seven players for the round 21 road trip to Launceston which brought a swift and pointed response from the Freo coach.

The disagreement has only added to the level of anticipation ahead of the clash that could secure a home final for the winner.

"I think it's terrific, I think it's fantastic for the city of Perth and WA to have a huge build-up to a game like this," Harvey said.

"The build-up should be positive, building the game up and not necessarily dwelling on the politics of the game.

"This is a final before the finals. For that matter, everyone get along. It'll have it all."

While Harvey was doing his best to sound the rallying call to the purple faithful, Ratten was confident there would be more than a token navy blue contingent at Subiaco.

"Our supporter base in Perth is phenomenal," Ratten said.

"Outside of the two home teams I think we're the next [biggest club] by membership.

"Even back when I played, we'd always go to Perth and there were supporters at the airport and you go to the ground and there's a cheer squad.

"The noise that they create is [huge]. I think even the Fremantle game we played there last time, that momentum when we came from behind to win was really significant."

Harvey eventually settled on a whopping 10 changes to the side that got thumped by 116 points by Hawthorn.

Ratten was unsure what effect such a huge turnover of players would have on the form of the team, but both agreed that one of them would be proven correct when the final siren sounds.