Former Fremantle defender Lee Spurr says the growing maturity and mental strength of the Dockers’ bottom eight players holds the key to their premiership hopes.

Consecutive close victories against Adelaide and Collingwood have earned Justin Longmuir’s side widespread praise as they look to cement themselves as a serious flag threat.

And while their stars in the likes of Alex Pearce, Josh Treacy and Caleb Serong are capturing all the headlines, the lesser likes are proving to be just as pivotal.

Fringe midfielder Matt Johnson kicked the match-winning goal in the Gather Round triumph in the biggest moment of his career.

Fellow midfielder Neil Erasmus is on track for a career-best season after cementing a spot on a wing, while Karl Worner and Heath Chapman have established themselves as no nonsense defenders.

Recycled midfielder Corey Wagner is able to play a variety of roles including as a tagger when called upon, while mature-age rookie Isaiah Dudley is benefiting from a fantastic pre-season to become a dangerous small forward.

Spurr said the growth of players those players had stood out early in the season as the difference in the Dockers’ growth.

“The more time I’ve spent in footy, I’ve witnessed teams and played in teams where it’s that ability of your players to keep growing (is important),” he told The West Australian.

“You lose a contest, but you forget about it, you move to the next one, and you halve the next one — that’s been the real growth for the younger players and the depth at Freo.

“Freo’s bottom eight to 10 players who are fighting for the four or five spots, they’re consistently getting better at staying in the moment and then the next moment, focusing on each contest as it comes. They’ve got so much better at that consistently over 120 minutes of football.

“They’ve got the high-end talent that is growing and maturing this year. What Josh Treacy has been able to do this year, Luke Jackson, what we’ve seen him do, Caleb Serong, and Andrew Brayshaw. The future is exciting for Freo, but if their bottom eight players can consistently compete and stand up contest after contest, that’s what wins close games.

“All those basics come to the forefront, and it’s about having mature bodies, mature minds who can consistently deliver under immense pressure.”

This season, Fremantle have become renowned for their strong starts to games, which has been pivotal in their four-game winning streak.

Spurr said the Dockers’ ability to continue to build on these hot first quarters in each game had strengthened their credentials.

“What’s been impressive is it hasn’t just been we’ll start fast and then hang on, they’ve learnt week to week,” he said.

“They’ve got better week to week at game situations, maintaining a lead, competing, dealing with momentum swings. That’s what’s been most pleasing for me.

“They’re throwing that first punch, putting sides on the back foot, and then adjusting to the game situation and going on, that’s a sign of good coaching, that’s a sign of good leadership, and good leadership on the ground as well. Now players need to adapt on the fly to what’s happening.”