After winning a thrilling NAB Cup second round clash against North Melbourne on Saturday, Fremantle return to Etihad Stadium to take on St Kilda in a semi-final that could launch the club into its first grand final of any kind.
Fremantle have four days in Perth between flights and Duffield said the preparation was not ideal. But with a young side shouldering a poor record at Etihad Stadium and not yet comfortable on the road, he said the experience could prove valuable.
“It’s certainly been interesting with the short turnaround, but the guys got in and did a good recovery session today and everybody’s shaped up pretty well,” Duffield said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday.
“I’m really confident in the fitness and conditioning staff here and the players’ professionalism to get themselves right for the weekend.
“We’re playing a great side in what should be a step up in tempo again from the previous game. That’s great preparation for round one."
If Fremantle can overcome the demanding schedule and knock off St Kilda, it is likely the club will host the NAB Cup grand final at Subiaco Oval.
Chief executive Steve Rosich said preliminary discussions with the AFL had indicated the club was a strong chance to host the pre-season showcase match, rather than travel for a third straight week.
Duffield said it would be exciting for the club to win its way through to the final stage of the NAB Cup, but the players would focus on overcoming last year’s grand finalists first.
“The task is this weekend and that’s a pretty big step in the scheme of things,” he said.
“We’ll worry about getting over there, getting the bodies right and giving that game our full attention first before we worry about the next step.
“Winning every game is important to us and we’re certainly going over there with a mentality of trying to win the game.”
Fremantle will be without defender Antoni Grover, who has been sidelined for six to eight weeks with a medial ligament injury, but Duffield said the backline could cover the veteran’s loss.
“He’s going to be out for a little while there, but I’m confident in the group,” Duffield said.
“We have spent a lot of time over the pre-season as a group working on what we thought was really important.
“Certainly Alex Silvagni has really impressed over the pre-season so far and that’s just another string to the group that we can call on if and when we need it.”
