Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has lauded vice-captains Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong for their selfless approaches to games this season, saying the way they sacrifice their own performances has been a crucial part of the team’s winning run.

The Dockers have won seven games in a row and haven’t relied on the pair to dominate in the midfield like they have in previous years. Brayshaw moved onto Marcus Bontempelli after the Western Bulldogs captain had 15 disposals in the first quarter on Friday and restricted him to 18 for the rest of the night.

Serong had only 17 possessions but the Bulldogs’ focus on him allowed Shai Bolton and Hayden Young to flourish.

Longmuir said the outside world had only just started noticing how many Dockers are prepared to do whatever is needed for the team.

“That’s been something that’s been at the club for a while,” he said.

“I remember the commentators talking about our Sydney win and the selfless nature of that a couple of years ago, when they were on top of the ladder, and we went over there and played a real role based game. So it’s something we’ve pushed for a long time.

“I understand there’s been a little bit of publicity about some of our leaders doing jobs for the team, but in my eyes they’ve been doing that for a long time. It’s something they’ve driven for a long time. So it’s probably just getting some airtime outside of the club.

“We had some plans in place for Bont in the first quarter and it clearly didn’t get executed. Then we shifted Andy to him and quietened him down a little bit and helped us get into the game. Andy’s done those roles for us in the past, whether it be a full game or for periods of games. He embraces it. He feels like it, gets him into the game at times as well. So it’s just one example of leaders leading the way.”

“Something that hasn’t been picked up is the selfless nature of Caleb when he gets tagged, and what that opens up for other players, including Youngy and Bolts and and Murphy Reid. His numbers might be down, but I think he’s impact is still at a really high level. He’s all about the team It’s great when two of your vice captains are leading the way in that aspect.”

The Dockers are in second spot on the AFL ladder but face a huge challenge against third placed Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Thursday night in a game that will shape the top four. It will be Fremantle’s third six-day break in a row but Longmuir said the team had recovered well from the win over the Bulldogs.

Judd McVee will return if he gets through the week feeling better after being ill last week. Longmuir said several players had been struck down by illness recently but now the squad was fully healthy.

While Fremantle are in great form, five of their seven wins have been against teams that are currently in the bottom eight. But Longmuir said that is irrelevant.

“We don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” he said.

“We just need to see where our footy stacks up. It’s another opportunity for us to try and improve our footy. We understand the opposition, understand their strengths, understand what our footy is about.

“Last year we played our best footy against the better sides. So I don’t feel like we need to go out there and prove anything. It’ll just be another indicator of where our footy is at, win, lose or draw.”