‘Some of the worst footy’: The ‘deserving spray’ that sparked Freo fight after being ‘pantsed’

Fremantle’s Sean Darcy admits he felt relief to escape with a 27-point win over Carlton after the Dockers played “some of the worst footy” on Sunday.

The home side were “pantsed” by a fired up Blues outfit who piled on a stunning four-goal lead by half time, including an 11-1 centre clearance count – leading coach Justin Longmuir to give players “a deserving spray”.

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“We were terrible in the middle – we got pantsed. They were tougher and stronger. We got the ball and were panicking in their pressure,” Darcy conceded of that first half.

“That first quarter and first half was some of the worst footy we’ve played in a little bit.

“They were tougher than us … but we knew what to expect. That was disappointing.

“It shouldn’t be hard (against teams not contending) – but it is.

“We’ve got to start games better than we did.

“We got a spray which was deserving.

“I think everyone knew what we were expecting because we were playing poorly.

“I don’t mind a spray – I grew up with Ross Lyon. I can deal with a spray every now and then (laughs).”

That half time speech from Justin Longmuir inspired a Fremantle fightback that saw the home side kick 11 of the last 13 goals to secure the four points.

The win ensures the Dockers jump into fifth on the ladder – only outside of Geelong in the top four on percentage.

“A few years ago, even last year we’d probably have lost that one. We would have said it’s not our day and given up,” he said.

“That (2024 season fade out) burns still to us – you talk to anyone and they are still not happy with how we ended up last year.

“You can’t be disappointed and then not act on it – you’ve got to act on it.

“We did a lot of reps pre-season about momentum in games and how to change it.

“It was a grown up performance.”

While there was jubilation for the win, another injury blow to star Hayden Young soured Sunday’s performance.

The midfielder failed to see out the first quarter and was subbed out with a quad issue.

“I’ve been there,” Darcy said.

“It’s heartbreaking – especially how good he is playing.

“You feel for the big fella.”

Darcy is no stranger to the rehab group at Freo, having spent years trying to get his troublesome knees right.

The club even sent their big ruck to Qatar pre-season – and those efforts are paying off with Darcy positive his body is holding up.

“I haven’t missed a training session in a while – I’m feeling really good,” he said.

“The Obstacle is the Way is a book that I read – it was great about resilience getting through obstacles and adversary. The footy club has been bloody awesome in letting me look at all these resources I can get to.

“We’re in a good place at the moment – I’ve got to keep doing the work.

“As long as I’m out there training – last year I was playing a game and then couldn’t get out on the track and I’d feel really poorly.”

Fremantle now face a tough road trip to Adelaide to take on the Power, before a Friday night blockbuster at home against reigning premiers Brisbane and a final round showdown with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.