Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says the latest criticism of his manner is laughable, claiming individuals exterior of the membership don’t know what occurs behind closed doorways.
Former Hawthorn star Dermott Brereton questioned whether or not Longmuir’s calm manner performed a task in Fremantle’s insipid 70-point loss to GWS a fortnight in the past.
The Dockers rebounded from that heavy loss with a scientific 32-point win – 14.9 (93) to 9.7 (61) – over Essendon in Perth on Saturday evening.
Fremantle had been uncompetitive within the clearances in opposition to GWS, nevertheless it was a distinct story in opposition to Essendon as they booted 8.5 (53) from stoppages, together with 4.4 (28) from centre bounces.
In the lead-up to the match, Longmuir strengthened to his gamers the necessity to win the contested possession battle and get again to their core values.
He stated criticism of his manner had been “water off a duck’s back”.
“It’s a bit laughable, really,” Longmuir stated.
“I’ll cop criticism about preparing the team to perform (against GWS). I’m a big part in that and I copped my part in that.
“But I do not suppose anybody within the media actually is aware of how I coach behind the scenes or the best way I am going about it.
“So being able to think you can judge that off the TV screen and seeing someone’s reaction in the box and after a goal, it is what it is.
“I did not change something this week.
“I like to think as a senior coach you need to be authentic and your players need to know what their coach is going to give them in terms of their demeanour, and a level of consistency is critical.
“So that is the best way I’ll proceed to teach.”
Longmuir praised the way his players handled the aftermath of the loss to GWS.
“Sometimes after these types of performances, there could be a little bit of finger pointing,” Longmuir stated.
“But I assumed from the second the sport completed, everybody took their half in proudly owning that efficiency, workers and coaches included.
“They came to work on Monday with a real determination to learn from it and get back on track, and we had a great week.”
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce was subbed off within the ultimate quarter in opposition to Essendon and instantly strapped ice to his decrease proper leg.
Longmuir stated it was simply an harm that Pearce has been managing for a number of weeks, with the defender anticipated to entrance up for Saturday’s conflict with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au