Fremantle’s finals hopes are hanging in the balance following a three-match losing streak, which included a 91-point western derby hiding.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon insists it’s not time to panic despite his team suffering one of their worst ever western derby losses.
The Dockers were made to pay dearly for poor forward entries and wayward goalkicking during their 91-point AFL loss to West Coast on Saturday night.
Fremantle won the inside 50m count 60-50, but lost the match 19.8 (122) to 2.19 (31) on a dark day for the club.
It was Fremantle’s second biggest loss to West Coast, and has put a major dagger through their finals hopes.
Three straight losses have left Fremantle (7-8) a win adrift of eighth spot ahead of a challenging clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.
Saturday’s loss was Fremantle’s first big defeat of the year, and has raised alarm bells among fans, especially following on from the shock home loss to Carlton.
But Lyon is adamant the team has made major strides from last year, saying recent injuries to key forwards Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner, and Rory Lobb have taken its toll.
“There’s certainly no panic stations,” Lyon said.
“I don’t think anyone expected us to go through undefeated.
“Our average losing margin was 50 points last year. It’s 11 this season (before the derby loss) and we’ve been in every game.
“I’ve been really proud of the group’s effort up until this point. But all of us – coaches and players – we wear this.
“I’m not here to defend the indefensible. I don’t think we turned it up. But it was a bit deceptive, the numbers.”
Lyon says he will consider making a statement on the selection front ahead of the crunch clash with Hawthorn.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who was well beaten by Nic Naitanui, will be rested against the Hawks to make way for Sean Darcy’s return.
Sandilands, playing his first game in more than a year, finished with 18 hitouts from eight disposals against the Eagles.
Naitanui was influential in the win, tallying 23 hitouts, six clearances, 14 disposals and a game-high three score assists.
Lyon rested Sandilands in the final quarter given the result was well and truly beyond doubt.
“We didn’t want to make a really bad night worse,” Lyon said of the decision.
“Aaron – I thought he did his bit. But Nic’s follow-up was super.”
Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe injured his shoulder in the second quarter, but was able to play out the match.
Hogan has resumed running again following his recent foot injury, but Lyon is unsure when exactly the former Demon will be cleared to return.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
At least Freo are putting themselves in the record books. The 2 19 was the 10th worst ( or equal 5th best if you take into account that more behinds means a higher score) inaccurate performance of all time in VFL/AFL history. You gotta admire Lyons aversion to scoring goals.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Carlton hierarchy are bonkers. Whatever decision they make the odds are it wil be the wrong one. I'd like to say I fear for you but it's against my football religion.
Johnno
Guest
Steady on you guys. Yes this was a bit of disaster. But you need to think of the whole season rather than just 1 game. Before this game, we had an average losing margin of 11 points I believe. No Hogan, Lobb & Sandy underdone (Sandy had to play given Lobb underdone & Darcy cooked). Now I am not sure on Lyon even after all these years. But to go on like some of the comments here is a bit rediculous. The options I think are change the assistant coaches or get a new head coach, or both which would be dreastic. We don’T need that. I probably favour getting a younger coach with modern ideas like Longmuir and a slight change in assistants. I think Ross is to dictatorial to have different assistants. BTW, Ross has a 50% win/loss record, better than Woosha. And before you go off, I don’t believe our 2014 team was stacked with stars. They were mainly just good old fashioned goers. De Boer, Mazunga, Spurr to name a few. Yes some quality but no where near as much as some of the other teams.
Boo
Guest
This game would have to be one of the oddest in the Afl ever .Sixty forward entries for two goals.Six less shots and Fremantle lose by 91 points.Lyon can't coach to win flags (the only coach to lose GF s at two clubs without ever winning one) so hope there new coach can get them a premiership.Good luck to all the Freo fans hope the side recovers better from Lyons inevitable departure than Stkilda did.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Nahuis kicked 4 goals in his first game and has been impressive in the very few games he has played. Is a great lock down player who should have played against the Eagles. Still on the Rookie list and has not been given a fair go by Lyon. Will be lost to the club if he is continually ignored for selection.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Time to take a bit of pressure off Cerra and Brayshaw have a run at Peel bring in Nahuis, Duman and Banfield.
BBQ BILL
Roar Rookie
Freo should take to the streets and demo and protest with placards! Picket the Admin, the games! It's a disgrace and he's an embarrassment. Can he please be removed from W.A. football asap...and from W.A?
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
I suppose kirk used to play for a team with souths colours. An ex freo guy (east or south) would be more genuine don't you think?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Convert eight of your points to goals , four posters ,four near misses and you end up on 10.11... 71 points. No-one would be beating the drums. 60 inside fifties is brilliant, shame Hurn, Duggan, McGovern, Barrass and Sheppard had 37 marks between them. McCarthy,Matera and Walters had 13 marks but 1.6 is poor
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I’ll be barracking against Freo next week, and the week after that and the week after that, until he’s gone.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Have you forgotten what you said earlier, in regard to the coach ?
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Just thinking what to put on it first. Any suggestions?
13th Man
Guest
Draft picks... Only positive now from this season. Should get 2 top 20 picks if you consider Liam Henry as an academy selection.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Have you made that sign yet Jordy ?
13th Man
Guest
Lyon Out blud..... In all seriousness though Freo fan tv would of got some very good ratings last night. All the fans I spoke to on the train were absolutely ropeable. It is clear that the majority of the fan base wants Lyon gone.... hopefully the board listens although I doubt it.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
In Matera's favour he was one of a hand full who tried hard, kicked 5 points missed some he should have got. A good coach can get into the players head, unfortunately we have not got one of them.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Just starting Freo Fan TV right now hahaha.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Hard to argue there VoR, Nic- Nats ground skills were amazing and his effective taps were on show again. He made Sandilands look like a old man. If Freo lose next week they drop to 13 th.
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
I thought my team, the Eagles, were absolutely superb in the conditions. As for Freo, I don’t think Lyon can ever win them a flag because he exudes this aura of “I know best” despite all indications to the contrary. Now this was only one game where everything went right for one team and wrong for the other, but .... They had enough opportunities to win last night but were so far behind the Eagles’ skill level and tactics that it was embarrassing. Just about every forward entry played to the Eagles’ greatest strength - defensive marking by Gov, Barrass, Shep and Hurn. And the recruitment! Big money for forwards with obvious physical and/or mental weaknesses in McCarthy, Matera, Lobb and Hogan (I know he didn’t play last night). Anyway, not my problem, but I know many Dockers’ fans think similarly.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Good Question i will leave that one for Don, probably won't be up about till 10-11 pm. Maybe he can see the writing on the wall now ?