Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has defended the type of under-fire two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe amid criticism over his defensive work and ball use.
Fyfe was placed on discover by AFL analyst Kane Cornes who highlighted gamers beating him on the unfold away from contests, notably Collingwood’s Jack Crisp in Friday evening’s draw.
And the previous Dockers captain’s ball use has additionally are available in for criticism in latest weeks.
In an interview with 7NEWS, Longmuir pointed to Fyfe’s excellent 37-disposal efficiency to assist beat the Western Bulldogs simply weeks in the past and believes he’s not too far faraway from that sort of kind.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as everyone is saying,” he stated.
“Four or five weeks ago against the Western Bulldogs he had his best game in three or four years and we are not far away from that.
“He has probably been a little bit indecisive with the ball at times, but a lot of his game is in good order and I’m really confident he can bounce back.”
It comes because the Dockers put together to face a firing Melbourne midfield headlined by the explosive Christian Petracca.
Cornes went so far as to say Fremantle’s midfield is best with out Fyfe in an explosive evaluation on the weekend.
Kane Cornes has put dual-Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe underneath the blowtorch and declared Walyalup (Fremantle) are a greater midfield when he isn’t enjoying.
“I think Fremantle are at their best when there is speed on the ball. The amount of time in transition or when his direct opponent (gets the ball and) Fyfe is burnt,” he instructed the Sunday Footy Show.
“He only had 20 touches and one effective kick. His kicking is an issue. Fyfe is great in the phone box but when it gets outside of the phone box, look at the explosion from the Collingwood players. I think they’re a better midfield when he’s not in the side.”
Longmuir lamented their ball motion within the draw, notably in a goalless third quarter that opened the gate for Collingwood to storm again into the sport.
“I wasn’t happy with our ball movement. I thought we over-used the handball, didn’t trust ourselves — especially in that third quarter — to go at the game with our handball and that probably caused the over-handball and really fuelled their pressure,” he stated.
“There were times where we didn’t look to take field position and play with the right intent, but it was only one of our issues.”
Michael Frederick “still has a few boxes to tick” and might be assessed after Fremantle’s primary coaching later this week in his push to get better from a concussion in time to face the Demons on Sunday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
