Not only will the Brisbane Lions embark on the longest road trip in football this weekend when they prepare to play Fremantle in Perth, but they’ll also have to adapt their playing style to suit one of the biggest grounds in the AFL competition.

Patersons Stadium is approximately 20m longer than the more familiar Gabba surface, and is also around 20m narrower.

Assistant Coach Shane Woewodin says the Lions players will need to work harder if they’re to upset the Dockers away from home.

“It’s a longer ground compared to most we play at, and a lot narrower too,” Woewodin told LIONS TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“(Players will need to) carry the ball a bit longer and improve their work rate and ability to get back and help in defence. Our midfielders need to be particularly good in these areas.”

There will also be a great responsibility on young ruckman Billy Longer’s shoulders with an increased amount of stoppages expected.  

“There’s generally a lot more throw-ins and stoppages at this ground as well because it’s so narrow,” Woewodin said.

But the ground will be a secondary concern for the Lions, who face an in-form Fremantle side that have emerged as a genuine premiership threat in 2013.

The Dockers have lost just two matches so far this season – against fellow top four sides Hawthorn and Essendon – and are renowned for their intense defensive pressure.

In fact, they have conceded more than 80 points on just one occasion this season.

During their last visit to face Fremantle at Patersons Stadium early last year, the Lions recorded a record-low 20 inside 50s – further proof of just how hard it can be to score against the Dockers at the venue.

“They’re a good team in good form, both at home and away,” Woewodin said.

“They’re a very good pressure team. They pressure the opposition and force errors. When they get the footy, they really try to control it through short kicks and playing possession footy.

“Our ability to get our hands on the ball and control the footy will be really important. We can’t afford to let their half-backs drop off and get into the game.”