FREMANTLE’S stunning start to the season has given the young side a vital injection of confidence before it begins a grueling fortnight where it will take on reigning premier Geelong and last year's minor premier St Kilda.

And the club has received an early boost ahead of its home clash against the Cats, for it seems injured key defender Chris Tarrant is likely to play.

Tarrant was in doubt after rolling his ankle in Fremantle’s drought-breaking win over Essendon on Sunday, but the early prognosis is good.

The win was Fremantle’s first in Melbourne since round four, 2007 and the club’s first at Etihad Stadium since round 17, 2006. And it is the first time since 1997 that the club has won the first two games of the season.

Fremantle utility Michael Johnson said the players were feeling upbeat and ready to pit themselves against the competition's best.

“We never thought about the records and stuff like that," Johnson said from Fremantle Oval on Monday.
 
“The boys are very happy today, very confident after a win and we look forward to next weekend against the benchmark team in Geelong.

“Hopefully we can take this winning form into Sunday’s game. We’ve got a couple of big games coming up now (and) to have a win against Adelaide and back it up again against Essendon is just a bonus for our team."

Tarrant went down late against Essendon and had MRI scans on Monday, but Johnson said the defender would do everything he could to be fit for round three.  

“No results back yet, but I think he should be right for this week,” Johnson said.

“He’ll do his best to get himself up and we do need him this week against Geelong.”

Johnson, who had 16 possessions and booted one goal against the Dons, played an important back-up role for Aaron Sandilands, allowing the towering ruckman to dominate the match.

Sandilands finished with 22 possessions, 39 hit-outs and a goal, and Johnson said he was happy to play a support role for the All-Australian big man. 

“Aaron likes another ruckman in there to help him out,” he said. 

“(But) we do need him out there most of the game. That sets our game up through the middle. To have Aaron resting up forward and clunking a few and kicking a few goals is a bonus for the team.

“We can use that to our advantage.”