Collingwood's top-four hopes could be thwarted by the power of emotion when Fremantle attempt to send off Michael Johnson with a bang in Saturday's AFL clash at Optus Stadium.
The Magpies will seal a top-four berth - and possibly even second spot - if they can beat Fremantle.
On paper, it looms as an easy kill given Fremantle's inept display in last week's 133-point loss to Geelong.
The Dockers conceded 23 straight goals in the club's worst ever loss, with coach Ross Lyon coming under heavy fire in the wake of that result.
Fremantle players have vowed to bounce back this week, and they will be spurred on by the added emotion of Johnson's farewell.
Johnson will line up for match No.244 on Saturday - placing him equal fourth in Fremantle's all-time games played list.
The last time Fremantle bid farewell to one of their champions was in the final round of 2016, when Matthew Pavlich retired.
The Dockers had lost seven straight games leading into that match, including defeats of 90, 46, 72, and 92 points in the previous four matches.
But spurred on by Pavlich's send-off, Fremantle posted a shock 20-point win over eventual premiers Western Bulldogs.
Last year, the Dockers copped consecutive 104-point hidings before giving Essendon a scare in the final round.
The Magpies are on guard for a fired-up Fremantle, and Lyon said his team are desperate to give their home fans something to cheer about.
"We'd like to earn some respect back," Lyon said.
"We exist to represent our members and the Docker community, and clearly we let them down last week."
Fremantle were dealt a blow on Friday morning when Stephen Hill was a late injury withdrawal, joining Michael Walters (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Aaron Sandilands (calf) couldn't recover in time to play in Johnson's farewell, but defender Joel Hamling returns from a calf injury.
Collingwood, who could slide to sixth spot if they lose to Fremantle, are unchanged from the team that beat Port Adelaide by 51 points.
If West Coast lose to Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday, percentage will become important in Collingwood's bid to nab second spot.
The third-placed Magpies are currently only 0.2 per cent ahead of fourth-placed Hawthorn, who take on fifth-placed Sydney on Saturday night.
If West Coast lose and both Collingwood and Hawthorn win, then second spot will be decided by percentage.
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