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Fremantle Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong says ladder position means nothing ahead of western derby

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Caleb Serong celebrates a goal with Rory Lobb.
Camera IconCaleb Serong celebrates a goal with Rory Lobb. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Caleb Serong knows first hand that ladder position means nothing heading into a western derby.

It’s been nearly a year since the young gun’s remarkable off-the-canvas banana from deep in Optus Stadium’s south-east pocket, which helped Fremantle snap an 11-game derby losing streak.

Serong was awarded the Glendinning-Allan Medal as part of that effort, thanks to 31 possessions and two goals.

The Dockers were underdogs that day, just like 17th-placed West Coast will be on Saturday night when the cross-town rivals clash once again.

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Caleb Serong’s famous goal.
Camera IconCaleb Serong’s famous goal. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

But Serong said despite the Eagles’ woes, with only two wins for the season and a 55-point hiding last time they met in round three, they won’t be taking them lightly.

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“It doesn’t matter, we know that and they know that,” Serong said about ladder positions heading into the final derby of the season.

“They’ll be coming out hard and setting themselves for it. It’s going to be a big game but I feel like we’re ready for it.

“We’ve had some big games over the last few weeks, Friday night games and this will be no different.”

Serong said while they will be treating the match like every other game, he admits there will be “a bit more spice” than normal.

“We’re really excited, we’re going to treat it like every other game but there will probably be a bit more spice in it.

“It’s going to have a finals feel about it and we’re ready for it.”

The 21-year-old was one of Fremantle’s best in their finals-sealing win over Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday which kept their top-four hopes alive.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Jack Macrae of the Bulldogs and Caleb Serong of the Dockers in action during the 2022 AFL Round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on August 6, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconJack Macrae and Caleb Serong. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He reflected on what it meant to play finals for the first time since he was drafted with pick eight in the 2019 national draft.

“It’s pretty special and something we’ve been building towards,” Serong said after his 24-possession, eight-clearance game.

“We haven’t been afraid of saying that’s where we want to be, we’ve come out and said that publicly.

“That’s the stage we want to be playing on and that’s where we’ve wanted to get this club back to.

“I feel like everyone and bought in this year and we’ve got that little tick now but its definitely not over, that’s not what we came to do.

“We came to win the flag and we’re nowhere near that yet but we’re building.

“Qualifying for finals... is one box ticked but we’ve got a lot to go.”

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