Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir believes the tough end to the season, with other top-calibre competing teams, is the best preparation possible for his minor premiership side.

Speaking following the 24-point win over the Crows in front of a packed Optus Stadium, Longmuir said he wouldn’t have it any other way for his team.

“The next two games are against probably the two in-form teams (including tonight), along with us in the comp over the last 12 weeks.

"Especially if you look at the ladder, Adelaide was nine and three in the last 12 weeks, which is a pretty big sample size.

"They don't allow uncontested marks, so they defend one-on-one and force you to a contest. So that element of it was finals-like.

"Then you play Carlton next week, who, you know, have only lost two of the last 12.

"So yeah, I would rather that prep going into finals, and I think it'll hold us in good stead.”

Although Freo’s win locked up top spot and just the second-ever minor premiership, Longmuir was adamant the job was not yet done and that he and his team would not celebrate the achievement with work still to do.

“You don't get anything for minor premiership,” Longmuir said.

“We don't hang banners up like they do in the States for that sort of stuff.

"We’ve put ourselves in a good position, and we’ve still got plenty of work ahead.”

Fremantle’s 55,010-strong crowd makes it a record nine consecutive home games with 50,000-plus fans in attendance, a League record in a single season.

Fremantle’s win also sees the side go undefeated at home during the 2026 regular season, with Longmuir noting the fortress his side and fan base have built.

“I think it should fuel our belief, and you know our crowd gets behind us, but we've got to give them something to get behind,” Longmuir said.

“I think the way we played tonight, we gave them something to get behind, and they got behind us, and it adds something to our energy, and surely it distracts the opposition a little bit.”