
While the so-called stars will get the spotlight, Justin Longmuir knows Fremantle's scorching charge to AFL finals has been propelled by unsung heroes.
After easily seeing off Gold Coast last week, the Dockers are on course to claim their second minor premiership - sitting two games clear atop the ladder with a 14-game winning streak.
And the Dockers are out to make it 15 straight wins, travelling to Canberra to take on an injury-hit GWS side on Saturday.
Fremantle's proven stars have all fired in their blistering run, with captain Alex Pearce and key forward Patrick Voss holding up either end, the club's "unicorn" Luke Jackson dominating in the ruck, alongside many ball-winners such as Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong and youngster Murphy Reid.
But Longmuir was quick to point out that there was much more to their form, laying praise on under-rated heroes such as defender Karl Worner.
"He's always looking for things he can improve on," Longmuir said.
"He's got a real good self-awareness of where he's at and what'll take him forward.
"I just love that he's flexible with his roles ... I just love his courage. He puts his head in the hole for his teammates, he's a real team player.
"There's been a number of those guys that have taken a step forward, if not two steps forward, which is really helping us.
"A lot gets spoken about the so-called stars in our team, but him, Chappy (Heath Chapman), (Nathan) O'Discroll, (Corey) Wagner - I can keep running off (names), missed a few, and they'll get shitty with me for missing them.
"All our players have taken a step forward in their games, and that's what's really pushed for competition for spots, and it's really helped out there, but it's also helped us build really consistent footy."
Fremantle looked untouchable as they steamrolled Gold Coast by 51 points, limiting last year's semi-finalists to just three goals.
With eight rounds remaining, the Dockers are every chance of matching then breaking the record for consecutive wins in one season - the 20-game mark set by Essendon in 2000.
But true to the "one week at a time" mantra, Longmuir baulked at even the suggestion of 15 straight wins.
"Oh, we're going for one straight," he said.
"I feel like, somewhat, we're through with probably the loudest noise.
"When it got to eight or nine wins, or 10 wins, I felt like it was at its loudest there.
"There's always external noise and distractions, and we've felt the criticism, and now we're feeling a bit of praise, and you handle both the same way."
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails

