Fremantle entered their match against Geelong with hopes of securing a top-four finish, but they now face a challenging battle to even make the finals. The Dockers’ fortunes have taken a severe downturn as they have lost consecutive games, marking their fifth defeat in six matches decided by 10 points or fewer this season.
In their latest setback, Fremantle succumbed to Geelong by 11 points, which also represents the fifth instance this season where they have failed to maintain a lead at three-quarter time. Coach Justin Longmuir acknowledged the disappointment of these recurring issues but tried to downplay their significance, noting that the team had been in tight contests and faced strong opponents like Geelong.
Longmuir attributed part of the loss to the late withdrawal of ruckman Sean Darcy, who was sidelined due to a knee issue shortly before the match. This injury, coupled with a demanding schedule, exacerbated the team’s difficulties. Longmuir expressed concern about Darcy’s ongoing knee problems and the impact of the six-day break on his fitness. AFL commentator Kane Cornes criticized Fremantle’s decision to extend Darcy’s contract through to 2030, suggesting it could be a long-term issue for the club.
The Dockers were also missing key players, including captain Alex Pearce (out with an arm injury), Josh Treacy (knee), and Michael Walters (hamstring). Longmuir admitted the absence of Pearce, a leading defender, and Treacy, a prominent forward, significantly affected the team’s performance, emphasizing that there are no easy replacements for such critical roles.
With upcoming fixtures against other finals contenders like Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide, Fremantle risks falling out of the top eight altogether. Despite recent close losses, Longmuir remains hopeful, stating that the team needs to endure and adapt to the setbacks. He noted that while the team has faced pressure, their performance hasn’t been consistent enough to secure victories.
Going to be a long 7 years https://t.co/gLW6HHdJYw
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) August 10, 2024
Nick Dal Santo from Fox Footy still believes in Fremantle’s potential to reach the finals, expressing confidence that they can overcome current challenges. However, concerns persist about their immediate future, particularly with Andy Brayshaw and Bailey Banfield potentially facing scrutiny from the Match Review Panel for incidents during the game.
As Fremantle navigates these obstacles, the club’s ability to regroup and perform in critical matches will be crucial to their hopes of securing a finals spot.
