The Fremantle Dockers are already regarded as one of the most difficult teams to score against in the AFL competition, but Ross Lyon’s men seem to have added an offensive edge to their game in 2014.

Their scoring power was evident last Sunday, when they kicked 17 goals against Hawthorn’s tight-knit defensive group – and that was without one of their main attacking weapons in Hayden Ballantyne who missed with a hamstring injury.

Captain Matthew Pavlich stood up with a match-winning five-goal haul, while Michael Walters made a promising return to senior action after a lengthy lay-off.

Fremantle’s potency up forward is all too familiar for the Lions, who were humbled by the reigning Grand Finalists just a couple of months ago in Perth.

In torrential conditions, the Dockers managed to pile on 15 goals – with both Pavlich and Ballantyne combining for eight of them – on their way to an 83-point win.

Lions Assistant Coach Murray Davis hopes his side can learn from the beating handed out to them back in Round 14.

“I think the game we played against Fremantle was in pretty tough conditions, so hopefully looking forward to playing them on a dry deck this Sunday,” Davis told Lions TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“Ballantyne didn’t play on the weekend, but over in Perth he kicked five against us, so that’s another tough match-up for our back six.

“We’ll meet them head on and see how we go.”

The Lions will also be busy trying to find their own avenues to goal, considering the Club has managed a combined total of 14 against the Dockers in their past three meetings (an average of just 4.6 goals per game).

“We’ll have to be at our best, not only with our defence, but also with the way we move the ball,” Davis said.

Although Ballantyne is almost certain to return for this Sunday’s clash, Fremantle will be without two of their key playmakers in Nat Fyfe (suspended) and Michael Barlow (finger).

Fyfe was arguably best on ground back in Round 14 with 29 disposals and 11 clearances, while Barlow racked up 26 possessions on the night as well.