A Close Call for the Fremantle Dockers
Another trip away, another five-goal margin whittled away in front of Fremantle fans’ eyes. However, this time the Dockers survived, but not necessarily in the way they would have liked according to coach Justin Longmuir.
“We got a bit lucky late,” he said post-match. “We probably held on not through system and method but through desperation late.”
The match against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval was another tight contest, with the Dockers leading by 25 points at half-time. They had several kickable set shot opportunities for key forwards Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Patrick Voss to start the second half. Unfortunately, these chances were squandered, allowing the Crows to pounce and create a grandstand finish that the Dockers narrowly won by just two points.
Longmuir acknowledged that the hostile atmosphere played a role in Adelaide’s resurgence during the game. “We bounced out of half time well, created some scoring shots (and had) an opportunity to maybe put the game to bed in some sense, but kicked three points in a row,” he said.
“Then the contest turned. I don’t think they got on top by slicing us with ball movement, they just go on top by rolling their sleeves up and playing the game in their front half. We just couldn’t hold up.”
He also mentioned the impact of the crowd. “The crowd probably had an effect. It can feel a little bit suffocating when you get stuck in your back 50 here.”
Lessons from the Past
This performance came after a close loss to the Cats in Round 1, where the Dockers faced similar challenges. According to Longmuir, the team learned from their mistakes and showed improvement in this match.
“I thought we were better at it tonight. It’s not a finished product and we weren’t perfect but we had some moments where we could have succumbed and kicked it long but we actually drove and the game opened up for us. I thought it was a step forward in that sense.”
The coach highlighted that while the team didn’t play perfectly, there were moments where they made the right decisions. “It was a similar situation (to Geelong), opposition team coming at us, crowd getting involved, and I thought we just played it really safe against Geelong. There was uncontested marks to be had, there was opportunities to drive our game, (but) we just played way too safe and it just plays into the opposition’s hands.”
Key Takeaways
- Improved Decision-Making: The Dockers showed signs of progress in making better decisions under pressure.
- Crowd Influence: The Adelaide Oval’s atmosphere significantly impacted the game, especially in the second half.
- Missed Opportunities: Several key scoring chances were missed, which allowed the Crows to make a strong comeback.
- Resilience: Despite the challenges, the team managed to secure a narrow victory, showing their resilience.
Longmuir emphasized that while the team is not yet a finished product, there are clear signs of growth. “We had some moments where we could have succumbed and kicked it long but we actually drove and the game opened up for us.”
Looking Ahead
With the next round approaching, the focus will be on maintaining the momentum gained from this match. The Dockers need to build on their strengths while addressing the areas where they struggled.
- The team must improve their decision-making in high-pressure situations.
- They need to capitalize on scoring opportunities more effectively.
- Building resilience and adapting to different game conditions will be crucial.
As Longmuir noted, the journey is ongoing, and each match provides valuable lessons. With continued effort and focus, the Dockers can look forward to stronger performances in the future.
