Disappointed Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir admits his side blew “opportunity after opportunity” in the 57-point loss to Brisbane that now leaves the club in danger of missing the top eight.
The loss has ensured Fremantle now essentially face a do-or-die final round showdown away from home against the Western Bulldogs in the tightest finals race in AFL history.
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“I said to the players, it’s probably the first time I’ve seen us be behind and lack composure in those plays,” he said post-match.
“You take a mark in the goal square and you go to play on (as Josh Treacy was denied a certain goal)… before that it just looked like we were out everywhere, Jaegar (O’Meara) missed a shot from 15 metres. We probably felt the pressure of the game.
“I deal in facts – the facts were we didn’t chase the game the way we should have/the way we have shown.
“Bad kicking becomes contagious – the shots we missed weren’t all difficult. Eleven scoring shots to eight at half time and you’re down.
“Some of the missed opportunities we watch on review it’s like, how do you at least not create a score there?”
The Dockers would have jumped into second with a win at home in what could two-time Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe’s final game in front of home fans. Instead, the side was embarrassed by a determined Brisbane outfit who have now cemented their spot in September.
Longmuir’s disappointment extended to his side’s ill-discipline as they coughed up three direct goals – including one to Lion Logan Morris more than 100 metres off the ball.
“I’d love to see what the umpires say about that (Brennan) Cox one,” Longmuir said.
“He pushed Morris in the side. Morris goes down 100m off the ball – it’s a big penalty to pay for something that’s not that much in it.
“I’m disappointed in our players because it’s unnecessary when you’re struggling to convert down one end and then you gift a couple goals to the opposition – it is a big difference in a low-scoring first half.”
Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon was critical of Fremantle’s performance, claiming the club had “gone back to bad habits”.
“I know you might sound harsh, but the fact (Neil) Erasmus was on the left foot earlier in the game and had Patrick Voss on the lead and you can’t make that kick? That just says you’re not good enough,” he said.
“You’re not good enough because this is cutthroat footy.
“The winner goes through to finals. You miss that kick, you are now staring down the barrel.”
While the margin blew out in a five-goal to one final term, Longmuir remained adamant Freo could bounce back.
When asked how his team can respond against the Bulldogs in the final round, he replied: “Well win. Go over there and give our best shot.”
“We’ve won 11 of 13 – I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off after tonight … didn’t go our way tonight but like I said to them after the game we’ll review it the same way, get better, dust ourself off and we’ll go again,” he said.
“Haven’t said farewell to Fyfey yet. We’ve got plenty of footy in us.
“We’ll review this game, get better and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs.”
In positive news, Longmuir was confident the Dockers would regain dynamic mid Hayden Young for that trip east, but he’ll still need to prove his fitness.
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