Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says they’re in a better position than they were in their last finals campaign three years ago as they prepare to tackle Gold Coast.

The Dockers will play in September for the first time since 2022, hosting first-time finalists the Suns at Optus Stadium on Saturday night in a cut-throat elimination final.

Longmuir’s side will have the advantage when it comes to experience in finals with 86 games compared to the Suns who have only 21 split between three players — Daniel Rioli, Ben Long and John Noble.

“We’re clearly a bit more mature. Some of those guys back then were playing in their first final and early in their careers as well,” Longmuir said.

“They’ve obviously developed their bodies and footy. They’re in a better position now.

“It’s been a few years so they’re keen to put their best foot forward.”

While it may be the Suns’ first finals campaign in their 15 seasons, Longmuir said he didn’t expect it to matter too much when the ball is bounced.

“I’ve said all along, I think Gold Coast’s brand of footy is a finals brand,” he said.

“They’re really strong in the contest. I think that aspect will hold up but you’d have to ask Dimma (Suns coach Damien Hardwick) if the maturity is there, that’s not really for me to comment on.

“All I can say is our best footy has held up against the best sides as well. We had a good tussle with them up there on the Gold Coast earlier this year and we expect the game to play out a similar way.”

Longmuir has backed their game style to thrive in the high pressure environment of finals football, having won 12 of their past 14 games.

“Our contest method is in good order. When the game leans towards more of a ground ball game our game comes to life and that tends to be the case in finals.

“Our record against the better sides has been good this year so our players should go into this with a lot of belief.”

Fremantle have not played since their vital victory over the Western Bulldogs late last month, giving several players an adequate break.

This includes midfielder Hayden Young who returned from a groin injury for the must-win clash and benefited from the week’s rest.

Young has been restricted to just eight games this season because of a series of soft tissue injuries but looms as a vital player for the Dockers’ premiership hopes.

“It’s been important for a few guys. Youngy has got a couple of big sessions in, some more footy work in. Whether we see him play more minutes we’ll work that out later,” Longmuir said.

“He should be fitter and further along. It’s good to have an extra recovery off the back of that Western Bulldogs game as well.

“He’ll be ready to go and he didn’t play against them (the Suns) so he’ll be a good addition.”