Melbourne midfielder Cameron Bruce says the team is determined to end their worrying Subiaco Oval hoodoo when they tackle AFL top-four fancies Fremantle on Sunday.

The Demons have lost their past nine games at the venue and Bruce said it was important for the fledgling side's future to reverse that losing trend.

"It's a concern when you haven't won for a while here but we've got a different group, we've got players that are in good form and we've got a fair bit of confidence from last weekend," Bruce said.

"Subi's such a big ground compared to what we're used to, it's important to bring a good running side and that's what we've brought across.

"Coming over (to Perth) two days earlier is something new so maybe that's the answer for the Demons."

Melbourne have won just once away from home this season and forward Lynden Dunn said there was a resolve amongst the group to start winning more games on the road.

"If you are going to finish in the top four you've got to travel well and win away," Dunn said.

"We only travel five or six times a year but those four points you can grab away are crucial so we need to start winning as a young side away from home."

Fremantle enter the game as hot favourites and are desperate to win to keep distance between themselves and several other top-four challengers.

"You're not in the top three or four on the ladder if you've got any noticeable weaknesses," Bruce said of the Dockers.

"The defensive side of their game has really improved and they're really choking down sides and playing that full-ground zone, which makes it hard for opposition teams to score against."

Fremantle received a major boost on the selection front with the inclusion of Luke McPharlin, Greg Broughton and Nat Fyfe.

Tim Ruffles, Clancee Pearce and Nick Suban were forced to make way.

Melbourne recalled Rohan Bail and Cale Morton to replace youngsters Jack Trengove (hip) and Kyle Cheney (dropped).

Meanwhile, injured Dockers midfielder Michael Barlow still has his sights set on carving out a lengthy AFL career as he begins the road to recovery from a badly broken leg.

"It's every kid's dream to play one AFL game, and after that first AFL game I played I could have happily broken both legs and both arms then and died a happy man," Barlow said.

"I'm just chuffed to have been able to play 13 games.

"(Former Melbourne forward) Garry Lyon said he broke his leg ... and he was able to go on and play 200 games after that incident.

"So if I can play 213 games that would be fantastic. I'm just really happy with where I'm at and really positive."

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