'Couldn't hit the side of a barn': Dockers miss chances
The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium.
The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four.
Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points.
It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season.
Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage.
If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth.
Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast.
"We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said.
"When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance).
"I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us.
"I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up.
"So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step."
Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away).
Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth.
There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young.
The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood.
He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last.
His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers' Rising Star candidate Murphy Reid humbled by comparisons to Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury
Fremantle forward Murphy Reid says he has been humbled by comparisons to Collingwood superstar Scott Pendlebury following his superb game against West Coast on Saturday. Reid has had an instant impact since joining the Dockers as a first round draft pick but it's been his ability to find space with the ball and use it well that led to teammate Jordan Clark comparing him to Pendlebury in The West Australian on Monday. Reid barracked for Richmond but said he'd always tried to play like Pendlebury. 'Definitely. It's how he's always got time and space,' Reid said. 'He's not the quickest guy but it's how he can avoid tacklers and always hit the right target and bring his teammates into the game. They're some amazing strengths. I'd like to say I try and do that in my game as well. He's someone I looked up to 'It's a fair calibre of player I've got to live up to. It's awesome that I can be even be compared to someone as great as him. 'He's got me in a fair few centimetres and a bit of size. I guess some of my strengths in my composure and what I can do with ball in hand are a bit similar to him. They're probably not to the level of him but there are a couple of similarities there.' Reid has rocketed into second favourite to win the AFL Rising Star award in a season where he has twice kicked four goals in a match. He is vying with Adelaide's Daniel Curtin and Brisbane's Levi Ashcroft for the prestigious award. Caleb Serong, Paul Hasleby and Rhys Palmer all won the Rising Star while playing for Fremantle, while teammates Luke Jackson and Jaeger O'Meara claimed the prize at other clubs, but Reid is doing his best to avoid being caught up in that hype. 'I'm just happy playing in the team and playing my role up forward. Every now and then I get a lick of the ice cream. I'm just having fun and enjoying my footy,' he said. Reid signed a two-year contract extension last month which will keep him at Fremantle until 2029. His girlfriend and best friend have both moved to Perth to give him added support and he will celebrate his birthday with them on Wednesday. Reid has made his name as a half-forward this season but has aspirations to become a midfielder and is doing extra work to prepare for that opportunity. 'The coaches are big on me doing vision with the mids and getting a few centre-bounce hits after training and going to see the mids coach,' he said. 'I'm just keeping that going on in the background because that's a bigger picture thing. I'm mostly working with the forwards for the time being Hopefully in the future you might see me through there.'
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘He just doesn't waste a touch': Riewoldt raves about Reid
Murphy Reid's Rising Star case is gathering momentum, with the young Docker climbing to second-favourite for the award amid high praise from a former winner and AFL great. Reid's superb western derby saw him attract equal top votes from Justin Longmuir and Andrew McQualter in the AFL Coaches Association's Player of the Year award, tying with Glendinning-Allan medallist Hayden Young after amassing 15 score involvements and six score assists from his career-high 23 disposals. The effort was enough for Reid to leapfrog Brisbane's Levi Ashcroft in Rising Star calculations in the eyes of bookmaker Sportsbet, shortening from $10 to $5 in recent days. Only Adelaide's Daniel Curtin is in front of Reid as a $1.50 favourite. Speaking on Seven's Agenda Setters, Riewoldt raved about the young Docker's composure and ability to set up his teammates in the forward half of the ground. 'If by dangerous you mean in front of goal, then I think you're right,' 2002 Rising Star winner Riewoldt said when asked if No.16 pick Reid was the most dangerous player to come out of last year's draft. 'I think there are better players... I think (Sam) Lalor and (Levi) Ashcroft will prove to be better players, and (Alix) Tauru's probably more exciting. 'But in terms of danger, Murphy Reid is an absolute beauty. 'He just doesn't waste a touch. 'He's clever. He only needs a handful of possessions to really hurt you on the scoreboard.' Host Craig Hutchison then appeared to endorse Reid for the prize, imploring fellow panellist and Rising Star judge Kane Cornes to take notice. 'Are you on the Rising Star panel? I hope you're watching,' he said. Murphy Reid celebrates a derby goal. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / Getty Images Reid's derby display saw him become the youngest player to record six score assists in a match since the stat's introduction in 2003, and continued his form that has him on record pace in that area. The Docker's 30 score assists mark the equal-highest tally through a player's first 19 games of a debut season, emulating the effort of Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli in 2008. Rioli's season-long record of 40 in a debut campaign appears within sight. Reid has also booted 19 majors of his own, matching St Kilda's Max Hall for this year's highest total for players to debut this year.
West Australian
7 hours ago
- West Australian
Murphy Reid: Fremantle Dockers youngster into second-favourite for Rising Star award amid Nick Riewoldt praise
Murphy Reid's Rising Star case is gathering momentum, with the young Docker climbing to second-favourite for the award amid high praise from a former winner and AFL great. Reid's superb western derby saw him attract equal top votes from Justin Longmuir and Andrew McQualter in the AFL Coaches Association's Player of the Year award, tying with Glendinning-Allan medallist Hayden Young after amassing 15 score involvements and six score assists from his career-high 23 disposals. The effort was enough for Reid to leapfrog Brisbane's Levi Ashcroft in Rising Star calculations in the eyes of bookmaker Sportsbet, shortening from $10 to $5 in recent days. Only Adelaide's Daniel Curtin is in front of Reid as a $1.50 favourite. Speaking on Seven's Agenda Setters, Riewoldt raved about the young Docker's composure and ability to set up his teammates in the forward half of the ground. 'If by dangerous you mean in front of goal, then I think you're right,' 2002 Rising Star winner Riewoldt said when asked if No.16 pick Reid was the most dangerous player to come out of last year's draft. 'I think there are better players... I think (Sam) Lalor and (Levi) Ashcroft will prove to be better players, and (Alix) Tauru's probably more exciting. 'But in terms of danger, Murphy Reid is an absolute beauty. 'He just doesn't waste a touch. 'He's clever. He only needs a handful of possessions to really hurt you on the scoreboard.' Host Craig Hutchison then appeared to endorse Reid for the prize, imploring fellow panellist and Rising Star judge Kane Cornes to take notice. 'Are you on the Rising Star panel? I hope you're watching,' he said. Reid's derby display saw him become the youngest player to record six score assists in a match since the stat's introduction in 2003, and continued his form that has him on record pace in that area. The Docker's 30 score assists mark the equal-highest tally through a player's first 19 games of a debut season, emulating the effort of Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli in 2008. Rioli's season-long record of 40 in a debut campaign appears within sight. Reid has also booted 19 majors of his own, matching St Kilda's Max Hall for this year's highest total for players to debut this year.
