Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is adamant his workforce nonetheless has a lot to play for within the remaining three video games regardless of their finals hopes formally coming to an finish following a three-point loss to Brisbane.
The Dockers led by 17 factors in the course of the third quarter and retained hope of staying in contact with the highest eight, however couldn’t pull clear additional and misplaced 11.11 (77) to 11.8 (74).
Fremantle received a ultimate final yr however are fifteenth with an 8-12 document forward of Saturday evening’s western derby. Longmuir mentioned he wouldn’t settle for gamers altering their strategy now that they know they’ll’t play finals.
“Every person at the club has something to get out of these three games. Our mindset shouldn’t change and won’t,” he mentioned.
“Every game of AFL is important and we’ll treat it like it’s the most important game this week. I expect every player to prepare like it’s their most important game, just like they did today and just like they did against Geelong.
“I’d be really disappointed if players thought there was nothing to play for or lacked motivation or purpose.”
Fremantle once more threw Hayden Young into the midfield, handing him the job of quelling Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale. Young was damaging with the ball, and the Lions star was quiet early however he had 9 possessions and 4 clearances within the final quarter.
Luke Jackson was once more outstanding because the No.1 ruckman and Caleb Serong collected 35 disposals and 10 clearances to proceed his very good season.
Fremantle have overwhelmed Geelong twice, defeated Melbourne on the MCG and now given Brisbane an enormous fright, however inconsistency in the course of the season has price them a finals berth.
Longmuir mentioned the hole between their finest and worst was irritating.
“As a coach you are striving to deliver a really consistent brand of footy every week. That’s disappointing,” Longmuir mentioned.
“We’ve just got to make sure we find the line and get the most we can out of these last three games and we review the season on where we need to improve and make sure we are really pointed with the areas we need to get better at.
“We’re doing a bit right. Clearly earlier in the year at times we haven’t been as consistent as we want. We have to strike that balance. Yeah, it’s frustrating. Of course it is.”
Defender Ethan Hughes was subbed out with an ankle damage, leaving him doubtful for the derby. The membership may have scans to be taught the severity.
The win left the Lions simply 1.1 per cent behind second positioned Melbourne and coach Chris Fagan mentioned it was a significant victory.
“We didn’t play great and we had a lot of players down but we found a way to win on the road which is pleasing,” Fagan mentioned.
“Our boys were pretty determined to win. They dug deep. Guys like Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley didn’t have good first halves but if you have a look at their last quarters, they were pretty big.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
