Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he won’t focus heavily on the need to perform at the MCG when the Dockers get a rare opportunity to play at the grand final venue against Essendon on Sunday.

The MCG is a similar size to the Dockers’ home ground Optus Stadium, but is slightly shorter and wider, often forcing teams into a fast-flowing style of game that should suit Longmuir’s in-form side.

The Dockers, who have adopted the name Walyalup for Sir Doug Nicholls round, also have a clash with Melbourne at the ’G in round 22.

“I don’t tend to build that up too much. It’s a good experience for us. One the ball bounces, it has got same white lines and pretty similar dimensions to the ground we play at, so I don’t tend to try and build it up too much or put a heightened importance on playing at the MCG,” he said.

“We’ll go there, a lot of players have played a lot of footy there now. We’ll learn from it, but I’d probably prefer to focus on more of the things that we need to get right on the field, rather than the field we’re playing at.”

Longmuir said the team has earnt the right to play in more regular prime time slot in the second half of the season. The Dockers have been handed one Thursday and two Friday night games, including a western derby, in the latest drop of fixtures from rounds 16-22.

“We are not far off the top of the ladder, we’re playing an exciting brand that people like to watch. Our fans turn up no matter where we’re playing and create a good atmosphere. I’m sure the broadcasters like that. So I think you get what you deserve in this game,: Longmuir said.

The selectors will tonight weigh up a replacement for captain Alex Pearce, who is expected to be sidelined for one to three matches with a medial knee injury, with the call likely to come down to three options: veteran Oscar McDonald or youngsters Hugh Davies and Josh Draper.

Longmuir said Davies had developed his game and body to be able to cope with a key forward - the Bombers have options in attack with Peter Write, Nate Caddy and Archer May.

“He’s been elite in the contest. He’s really hard to play against. He’s improved aspects of his game in terms of with the ball and probably trying to maximise those contests and winning more contests rather than halving them so he’s worked on that over the pre-season.

“And he’s been in good form for us. He’s physically ready. He’s done a lot of work in the gym ... He’s one of the players that will be putting their hand up.

“They’re pretty tall down there (Essendon). Wright has played a fair bit forward and kicked a lot of goals. Caddy looks like an emerging star of the game. You throw in May and (Nick) Bryan played bit down there last week as well.”