Key Player Performance
Fremantle’s coach, Justin Longmuir, praised the efforts of star ruck Luke Jackson during a crucial third quarter in a tightly contested match against Collingwood. The Dockers managed to secure a narrow six-point victory in a low-scoring game, with three of their six goals coming in a quick flurry just after half-time. Jackson played a pivotal role in this turnaround.
Sean Darcy suffered a concussion, which increased the pressure on Jackson. He ended the game with 38 hitouts, 17 disposals, and nine tackles. Longmuir highlighted Jackson’s significant contribution, particularly in the third quarter.
“He was super and got us going early in the third. We struggled with field position. I thought our pressure was horrible in the first half, he helped us get on top in those areas in the third quarter,” Longmuir said.
The coach also noted the importance of the team’s response after halftime. “To come out after halftime, get the ball going our way, game played in our half and kick three quick ones was a great response. His aerial in particular was really strong. He marked it like it was a dry weather game so he was instrumental in helping us win the game.”
Team Performance and Challenges
Longmuir acknowledged that the Dockers were below their best for much of the night, especially in the first half. However, he commended the effort of the backline, led by Alex Pearce and Heath Chapman.
This victory marks Fremantle’s second consecutive win against Collingwood by within a kick. Under coach Craig McRae, Collingwood has set a benchmark for closing out tight games. This follows a two-point win over Adelaide in Round 4, as the club continues to build confidence from both road wins and close finishes.
“It’s never something you get ahead of yourself with but I feel like over the last 18 months we’ve slowly become better at being composed in important moments in the last quarter and I thought we saw important moments of that,” Longmuir said.
He emphasized the team’s composure in the final quarter, where they did not rush themselves when chasing the lead. “We waited for our moments to happen and were good enough to take them. I thought once we hit the lead, we executed really well.”
Leadership and Composure
The coach also highlighted the importance of leadership, particularly from key forward Josh Treacy. An intercept mark in the dying stages symbolized Fremantle’s ability to execute under pressure. Despite a quiet night where he was unable to add to his 12 goals in the first month, Treacy seized his moment when it mattered.
“Josh has done that so many times for us. It’s like he’s wearing two gloves or grippo on his hands, he goes back and marks it like it was a dry weather game,” Longmuir said.
When discussing the details late in games, Longmuir pointed to Treacy’s performance. “Not only does he end up executing that mark, he’s in the right spot to impact the game so he’s been tremendous for us.”
Conclusion
Fremantle’s recent victories have shown a growing confidence and composure in tight matches. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure is a testament to their development over the past 18 months. With players like Jackson and Treacy stepping up in critical moments, the Dockers are proving to be a formidable force in the league. Their continued success in close games highlights their resilience and determination to overcome challenges.
