The prolific ball-winner broke his left thumb in the Dockers' round 21 win over Hawthorn and was expected to be sidelined for two weeks.
But the midfielder made a shock return in last weekend's crucial clash against Port Adelaide, where he gathered 27 touches and was a key component to the Dockers' eight-point win.
"It was really pleasing to get through the game on the weekend," Barlow said.
"I was probably a bit anxious going into it, more so the training and getting through all of that. But once I ticked that off and the next moment was the game it was more excitement.
"There were a few little moments of anxiousness last week but this week has been really good."
The Dockers travel to Sydney on Thursday ahead of their qualifying final clash with the Swans on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium.
Barlow said the mood around the club this week reminded him of last year's qualifying final week when the Dockers travelled to Simonds Stadium and beat Geelong to turn the 2013 finals series on its head.
"Going into that final last year against Geelong we had real confidence and belief around the group," Barlow said.
"Within the four walls of the Freo footy club we were really excited about the challenge and that's a similar kind of feeling for me personally this week as well as the group. That's the vibe I'm getting at this point of the week anyway."
The Dockers will regain star midfielder Nat Fyfe this week after the reigning best and fairest served a two-match suspension for striking Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis.
Barlow said Fyfe's return was critical for Fremantle.
"It's really important," Barlow said.
"He's a real team driver and someone that the Swans will have to put a lot of work into and I know they will put a lot of work into him. So to have him to back out there with us will be fantastic.
"But again we've shown we've handled the past fortnight really well without him and to bring him in is a bonus for us.
"We don't expect miracles. We don't expect 35 possessions and four goals. We just expect him to play his role and uphold his end of the bargain."
