Fremantle Dockers Coach Justin Longmuir Admits Midfield Balance Needs Work After Loss
Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has conceded that his team has "some work to do" with their high-energy rotating midfield strategy, following a disappointing season-opening loss to Geelong. The Dockers squandered a 35-point second-quarter lead to fall by 10 points at GHMBA Stadium on Saturday, prompting Longmuir to reflect on the midfield's performance.
Midfield Rotations and Early Success
Longmuir revealed that he granted players licence to "flip and rotate" through the midfield, a tactic that initially paid dividends. In the first quarter, Fremantle exploded with 8.4 (52) points, marking the fifth-highest opening quarter in club history and their best against Geelong. Key midfielders like Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, and Nathan O'Driscoll contributed goals, showcasing their dual-role capabilities.
"We jumped into the game really, really well and were able to maximise and get bang for buck with opportunities going forward in the first quarter," Longmuir said. However, he noted that the centre bounce mix was not always optimal, leading to lapses in role execution as the game progressed.
Statistical Breakdown and Player Contributions
The Dockers deployed nine players at centre ball-ups, including ruck duo Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy. Andy Brayshaw led with 28 attendances out of 34 centre contests, followed by Serong with 23. Other contributors included Hayden Young (16), Murphy Reid (14), Bolton (9), Matthew Johnson (6), and Neil Erasmus (2). Jackson, in particular, stood out with 22 hitouts, 10 clearances, and a goal, earning potential Brownlow and coaches' votes.
Despite winning the centre clearance battle 17-11 and overall stoppage clearance 25-17, Fremantle failed to convert these advantages into a victory. Longmuir attributed this to a loss of composure and basic skills, especially in the second half when Geelong adjusted their gameplay.
Geelong's Comeback and Fremantle's Struggles
Geelong responded by changing their approach, using longer surges that Fremantle struggled to counter. "To Geelong's credit I thought they changed the look of the game up, created a bit more length and tried to surge the ball more, which we didn't deal with well in the second quarter," Longmuir admitted. The Dockers' efficiency dropped, kicking only 3.8 in the second half and failing to defend effectively in the final quarter.
Longmuir also discussed defensive match-ups, with Heath Chapman assigned to Jeremy Cameron and Brandon Walker tasked with guarding Patrick Dangerfield. Cameron, despite injury concerns, played 87% of the game and kicked 3.4, while Dangerfield, though limited to 55% game time, made an impact as a deep forward.
Looking Ahead and Injury Updates
Reflecting on the loss, Longmuir described it as "the one that got away" but acknowledged Geelong's resilience. The Dockers are hopeful for the return of defender Brennan Cox from a calf complaint for their upcoming home game against Melbourne at Optus Stadium. Meanwhile, fellow backman Luke Ryan was selected for Peel Thunder in the WAFL but did not play due to illness.
Longmuir emphasised the need for consistency, stating, "We have to make sure that when we do flip and rotate that we play the roles we are in." As Fremantle prepares for their next match, refining midfield balance and maintaining early-game intensity will be crucial for turning potential into wins this season.
