During last week’s crushing defeat to the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir acknowledges that his players were more concerned with boosting their stats than concentrating on team defense.
A fortnight ago, the Dockers crushed Melbourne by 92 points in Alice Springs, and they went into their bye week on a huge high.
However, the Bulldogs, who scored 23.11 (149) their route to a 67-point victory, brought Fremantle back to earth with a thud last Saturday.
Despite being among the league’s strongest defensive teams this season, the Dockers’ loss to the Bulldogs was their biggest of Longmuir’s four and a half-year tenure.
Justin Longmuir has unleashed a startling assault on his teammates.
When analyzing why things went so wrong against the Bulldogs, Longmuir didn’t hold back.
“It is undeniable that during the weekend, players were more concerned with their possession count than with their game strategy, pressure on the opposition, and defense,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“As a coach, that is not what I stand for.”
This week, Longmuir wants to make sure his players remember what makes them a great squad.
He said, “And it’s not our offense and scoring.”
It’s easy for your priorities to slightly shift when you’re heading into a bye after defeating Melbourne by 140 points.
I also am not talking about huge margins. In this game, it takes very little to lose your advantage and give the adversary a whiff.
We rely on the contest, the pressure, and our ability to protect the territory. We will undoubtedly overcome this.
In an open assessment this week, Longmuir stated that he didn’t smoke anyone.
No specific people were called out. “We discussed team issues during the team meeting,” he stated in the lead-up to Sunday’s home game against Gold Coast.
Some of his players, he said, were more focused on individual stats.
Sure, a few people appeared in the individual clips, but it was only because the issue was one of teamwork that made them stand out.
“Everyone needs to recover.”
Longmuir gave his teammates credit for owning up to the subpar performance.
He said, “They came in and owned it.”
“They’re out and about, seeking self-repair.”
I occasionally receive criticism for maintaining my composure.
“I don’t respond to a single show.” I’m not reacting to this, any more than I did to the game in Melbourne.
It’s obvious that a few players made mistakes throughout the weekend, which led to us making several mistakes as well.
“I don’t think realigning will take much time.”
We only won by 92 points two games prior. We can make things better, I’m sure of it.
Heath Chapman is due to return against the Suns, while veteran Michael Walters (hamstring) will be out for three to four weeks for Fremantle.
