A Gritty Victory and a Step Forward for Fremantle
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir described the recent win over Adelaide as a triumph of determination over strategy. After a hard-fought two-point victory on the road, Longmuir reflected on how his team managed to hold on not through well-structured tactics but through sheer willpower.
“We probably held on not through system and method, we held on through desperation,” he said following the match. The win marked Fremantle’s third victory in four games, showcasing the club’s growing maturity under his leadership.
The game started with Fremantle in control at Adelaide Oval, leading by 34 points just 10 minutes into the third quarter. However, the Crows staged a remarkable comeback, scoring seven consecutive goals to take a seven-point lead midway through the final quarter.
Fremantle responded with the last two goals of the game, securing an 11.12 (78) to 11.10 (76) victory. This win came after a 10-point loss to Geelong in round one, where Longmuir felt his team had been too cautious.
“We had a similar situation – an opposition team coming at us, crowd getting involved in the game – and I just thought we played really safe against Geelong,” Longmuir said. “There were opportunities to really drive the game but we just played too safe and it just plays into the opposition’s hands.”
He added that the team’s performance against Adelaide showed improvement. “So I thought we were better at it (against Adelaide). It’s not a finished product… but we had some moments where we could have just succumbed and kicked it long but we actually really drove and the game opened up for us.”
Building Confidence and Improving Consistency
Longmuir highlighted the importance of the team’s strong start to the season, which has provided a confidence boost for the players. “You try and look for improvements over the off-season, you go to work on a few of those things,” he said. “And it’s good to get some reward early in the season.”
He noted that the players are beginning to see the results of their off-season efforts. “It gives players confidence that what you have been working on is coming to fruition.” Despite the progress, Longmuir acknowledged there is still work to be done. “Players are really clear that we have got some things to work on in our game in terms of consistency.”
However, he emphasized the strong belief within the team. “But there’s a real strong belief in what we do. And when we get it right, when we get the game on our terms, we’re pretty hard to stop.”
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Longmuir remains focused on the team’s development. He believes the recent win is a sign of progress, but also a reminder that consistency is key. “We’ve shown we can compete with the best,” he said. “Now we need to make sure we can maintain that level of performance throughout the entire game.”
With a growing sense of confidence and a solid foundation, Fremantle is well-positioned to continue their upward trajectory. The lessons learned from the tight contest against Adelaide will undoubtedly play a role in shaping the team’s approach moving forward.
