The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

In September, 2006, Justin Longmuir was preparing for the biggest match of his life - a preliminary final against Sydney at the SCG.

The Dockers lost by 35 points and, just two appearances later, Longmuir's AFL career was over at the age of 26 due to a debilitating knee injury.

The game we love can be so cruel at times. Longmuir knows that more than most.

His retirement at such a young age was described as a tragedy by then-Dockers coach Mark Harvey.

But as fate would have it, Longmuir will be back at the SCG on Friday night - some 20 years after that heartbreaking day when Fremantle bombed out of the premiership race.

Longmuir's knees didn't allow him to reach his full potential as a player during his 139 games in the purple, a grand shame for a ruckman/forward selected with pick No.2 in the 1998 national draft.

But his mind might end up being the crucial element that lands Fremantle an elusive flag.

And how is it that the coach labelled overly cautious as recently as 2025 is now in charge of one of the AFL's most electrifying outfits?

He's awkward in front of the cameras; deadpan at times. The 1-0 mantra spruiked after every win this season sums up his public face.

The 45-year-old lacks the fearful aura of coaching greats like Mick Malthouse, Denis Pagan and Leigh Matthews.

The best insight is from his players. There is no shortage of love, admiration and respect for the new-school mentor, the way he backs himself and his players.

Shai Bolton knows a thing or two about coaching quality, having won two flags at Richmond under master coach Damien Hardwick.

Bolton, who won his second All-Australian blazer this year playing big stints through the midfield, describes Longmuir as "amazing".

"Everyone has different personalities and they coach differently," Bolton says.