Fremantle co-vice-captain Caleb Serong is backing his side’s ruck combination to take the challenge up to Melbourne juggernaut Max Gawn.

Serong said Gawn “is the ruck of our generation” following his influential performance in Melbourne’s win over St Kilda, but he’s full of faith that Freo’s pairing can match the 35-year-old in Round 2.

“We'll have our work cut out for us, and they will too, but I couldn't trust our ruck brigade any more in terms of being able to wear opposition rucks down and get on top late in games,” Serong said at his Monday afternoon media conference.

“Gawny’s the best ruckman of our generation and he’s incredible, so looking forward to seeing that battle this week.

“They always, all three of them, Gawny, Sean (Darcy) and Luke (Jackson) get up for it and have some great battles.”

“I think with Luke's ability to play both those roles (ruck and midfield) and having another ruckman in there is clearly the way that JL (Justin Longmuir) wants to go about it.

“I think Sean built into the game really well on the weekend, he showed his strengths as the game went on.

“I think that’s something you saw last year when we got those two rucks together, the ability to wear ruckmen down.”

Jackson received seven coaches’ votes in the Round 1 loss against Geelong after again demonstrating his unique ability to adapt his role, gathering 27 disposals, 22 hit-outs, 10 clearances, eight tackles and a goal. Darcy also worked his way into the game with 22 hit-outs and 10 disposals on limited game time.

Serong said Fremantle would need to produce a more complete performance following the loss to the Cats after a blistering eight-goal first term.

“We played some great footy,” Serong said.

“You look at the first quarter, we were so hard to play against in terms of the way we went about the game, tested them out and used our strengths and our weapons.

“We probably just lost a little bit of that after the first half. So there’s some great feedback for us on what’s working and what needs to be a bit more consistent.”

Fremantle host Melbourne on Saturday 21 March at Optus Stadium, with the match commencing at 4.35pm WST. It will be Fremantle’s first home game of the season.

Fans are reminded that Saturday will be the first time Fremantle supporters will be required to adhere to Optus Stadium’s new SafeTix system to enter the venue. For more information, click here.

The clash will be the second of Fremantle’s first three games to be shown on a delayed free-to-air broadcast.