Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan admits there are few tougher challenges in footy than trying to break down Fremantle at Optus as the Dockers look to reassert their top four credentials.

With just 12 points separating first from 11th every game has massive repercussions for how the finals will shape up with no team safe from missing the cut.

Duncan says he has never seen anything like it in his 15 years in the AFL.

“I’ve never seen a season like this with it being so close, every game means a hell of a lot in terms of the ramifications it can cause but it’s great for the AFL,” Duncan told TAB radio.

The Dockers have the toughest run home of any finals contenders but will take heart in facing Geelong having beaten them on the last three occasions, including two wins at Kardinia Park.

Duncan said the Dockers have always been a tough team to break down under Justin Longmuir but have only become more dangerous since added their offensive edge.

“I think Fremantle are a well-drilled side especially defensively and they have been for a number of years under Justin Longmuir,” Duncan said.

“The things that they’ve brought now is obviously that offensive side with Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss and their hard runners like Frederick so they’re hard to play against.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can build some momentum against Freo.”

Duncan said any game plan will rely on their pressure out of the middle.

“We have to bring a heap a pressure and match them around the footy and try and keep the ball in a forward half as much as possible,” he said.

“They’re the key elements of AFL at the minute every team is trying to do it it’s just a matter of who can do it for a longer period.”

Jeremy Cameron will celebrate his 250th game against the Dockers but Geelong will be without fellow spearhead Tom Hawkins as he races to be fit for a farewell game before the end of the season after announcing his retirement on Tuesday.

“It was a little bit of a sad day but it still can be really exciting and hopefully we can get him back before the end of the year and into finals,” Duncan said.

“I feel very privileged to be on the journey with him but there’s still a chapter to go so we’ll see how we go.”