'Very tough': AFL greats tip unlucky Fremantle coach to avoid the axe after historic first

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir should be safe in his position, even if his club stumbles out of the top eight for the second year in a row.

That is the opinion of AFL greats James Hird and Jimmy Bartel, ahead of the Dockers' must-win clash with the Western Bulldogs in round 24.

They were smashed by Brisbane in round 23, blowing their last chance in Perth to secure a finals spot.

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If they can't beat the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, they will become the first team to miss the eight with 15 wins in AFL history.

But they will also miss the eight on the final weekend of the season for a second straight season.

Longmuir does not have a conventional AFL coaching contract. He is on a rolling deal meant to take pressure off him, but it also gives the Dockers flexibility to make a big call, something the club has not shied away from under previous regimes.

Former Essendon coach Hird believes it would be unfair to make a move on Longmuir, but was disappointed with their loss to Brisbane.

"I think it would be very tough if it did cost him his job. I think they've improved and they've improved in the win column as well," Hird told Nine's Footy Furnace.

"I didn't think they handled the pressure of the occasion (against Brisbane). They lacked composure.

"They didn't have it on the night and the difference between them was stark with the ball in hand. Freo wasn't up to standard."

Geelong great Bartel agrees, given they still won 15 games this season.

"Surely he's fine, even if they do miss the eight. We've highlighted how they'll be the first team to miss the eight with 15 wins," Bartel said.

Essendon champion Lloyd believes Freo floundered under pressure against the Lions.

"Did the pressure of trying to secure a finals spot get to them? I think it did. I love Brisbane though. When they lose the week before, they come out and make a real statement," Lloyd told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"There's a lot of Freo players I still question. I can't wait to see how they play against the Bulldogs."

Nine's chief AFL journalist Tom Morris unpacked the state of play with the Dockers and Longmuir.

"We said at the start of the year that (Adelaide coach) Matthew Nicks would lose his job, and he was aware of this, if Adelaide misses finals," Morris said.

"I don't think it's quite the same for the Dockers, especially winning 15 games out of 23. In most years that's a pretty good season. The Lions won 14 games last season and won the flag.

"They'll be disappointed, they would have expected to play finals, but I don't think it will cost Justin Longmuir his job."