A Narrow Victory with Lessons Learned
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.”
Longmuir reflected on the team’s performance, noting that it was similar to their previous encounter with Geelong. “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.”
However, the coach felt that the team 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.”
A Similar Scenario Against Adelaide
Learning from their mistakes after a close loss to the Cats in Round 1, Longmuir’s players put themselves in a similar position on Good Friday against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval. The Dockers led by 25 points at half time, before securing more than kickable set shot opportunities to key forwards Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss to start the second half. But the shots were squandered and the Crows pounced to set up a grandstand finish to the match which the Dockers won by just two points.
Longmuir acknowledged the role of the hostile atmosphere in Adelaide’s resurgence. “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.”
The Impact of the Crowd
The coach also highlighted the effect 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.” This sentiment reflects the challenges the team faced in maintaining composure under pressure.
Key Takeaways
- Improvement in Game Management: Despite the narrow victory, the team showed signs of progress in managing high-pressure situations.
- Importance of Composure: The ability to stay composed during critical moments is essential for future success.
- Adapting to Adversity: The team must learn to adapt quickly when facing a strong opponent, especially in hostile environments.
- Focus on Key Players: The performance of key forwards like Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Patrick Voss will be crucial in future matches.
As the season progresses, the Fremantle Dockers will need to build on these lessons to ensure they can maintain their momentum and avoid similar close calls in the future. The coach’s emphasis on learning from each game suggests a commitment to continuous improvement, which is vital for any team aiming to compete at the highest level.
