DAVID Mundy believes the Dockers have earned their top-four position despite the soft nature of their draw.

 

Fremantle (15-4-1) is fourth on the ladder with two rounds remaining. 

 

It could still finish in the top two should it win its last two games against Port Adelaide and St Kilda and results go their way, with the Swans (third) due to meet Geelong (second) and Hawthorn (first) ahead of the finals.

It is just the second time in 19 seasons the Dockers will finish in the top four and only the fifth time they will play finals.

Mundy said the group was excited about what the team had achieved but the job was not done yet.

 

"We've earned this right and we're going to have to continue to earn it and not take the foot off the pedal," Mundy said.  

 

"We've worked hard to get to where we’re at and were going to hopefully make the most of it."

 

A top-two finish would mean the Dockers potentially don't have to leave Patersons Stadium until the Grand Final should they get that far.

 

"The goal is to play as many games at home as we can," Mundy said.

 

"The less we have to travel throughout the year, the better. Collingwood play 18 games at the MCG and that would be lovely if we could play 18 at Patersons Stadium."

 

The Dockers have won 15 of their past 16 at Patersons Stadium. They will start favourites against Port Adelaide on Saturday night but Mundy was on guard for a Power line-up that is significantly improved from the side the Dockers have beaten in each of their past five meetings.

 

"They're a really improved side from last year," Mundy said.

 

"I was just looking at some of the clips from our games against them last year and they’re a markedly different team this year.

 

"We've seen they’re never out of the contest, they keep fighting back."

 

Aaron Sandilands has already been ruled out with a fractured cheekbone, but the Dockers could regain the services of Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce.

 

Hayden Ballantyne is also a chance to play despite injuring his shoulder against Melbourne.

 

"[It] looked like he was going to be out for three years the way he reacted," Mundy said.

 

"But Ballas is up and about and joking amongst the boys and I'm not entirely sure medically where he is at but he's pretty confident."