Motormouth Mitch: Fremantle make emphatic statement on coach Justin Longmuir in win over Hawthorn

West Australian

14 hours ago

Fremantle made an emphatic statement to the football world in their Saturday night win over Hawthorn. The West Australian's Mitchell Woodcock takes a no-holds-barred look at the week in footy.
Freo's Longmuir Statement
If you believe the cliché that actions speak louder than words, then Fremantle players just screamed in everyone's face that they have belief in Justin Longmuir.
Rightly or wrongly, the heat was on the Dockers coach after their defeat to Sydney last weekend which had his side slip out of the eight.
North Melbourne great and AFL expert David King was the man who was strong in his conviction that given the talented list at Longmuir's disposal it was likely going to be finals or bust for the former Fremantle forward in 2025.
While some experts and fans may not believe Longmuir is the man to finally take the Dockers to the promise land, there were 23 players on Saturday night who showed their cards.
The win against Hawthorn is easily their best of the season and likely one of the best in Longmuir's near six-season reign as coach.
It wasn't a massive victory in terms of margin, but the intent and passion with which the Dockers' played signalled they were there to not only get the four premiership points but make a statement — they believe Longmuir is their man.
In front of nearly 50,000 fans at Optus Stadium the Dockers laid an incredible 103 tackles — more than 40 more than their season average.
It was the intent behind these tackles that caught the eye. Every player committed to the cause, evidenced by the fact only tall forward Jye Amiss didn't lay a tackle for the home side.
Gang tackles, run downs and repeated efforts typified the performance for Fremantle.
Even when things weren't going their way at the final break, the Dockers didn't panic — sticking to the process that had them on top in the fourth quarter that had them on top.
And when they had the ball in hand they attacked with ferocity and without fear.
The sight of a bleeding Andy Brayshaw — who laid a team-high 14 tackles — doing his post-game interview is as powerful an image as they come for the Dockers faithful.
Fremantle went to war on Saturday night intent on telling the world they had Longmuir's back, and the football world now knows unequivocally where they stand.
This could well be a win that changes the course of this football club's future.
Dockers Daicos Decision
Fremantle will have little time to bask in their impressive win over the Hawks, because a Collingwood side with a bruised ego is awaiting them at the MCG.
The Magpies' defeat to the Gold Coast on Friday night might be the worst thing to happen for the Dockers.
Collingwood are to proud a team not to be determined to rebound strongly after their first half performance against the Suns or their inability to run them down.
Add in the fact they have a nine-day break and will play at the MCG — where they've won 12 of their past 13 games — and it's going to be an uphill battle even for a confidence-filled Fremantle.
Craig McRae's side has many weapons but the Daicos brothers in Nick and Josh are his most potent.
And the problem for Fremantle is they must decide which one to tag because you could argue right now that Josh is in better form than his younger brother Nick — who is the favourite for the Brownlow Medal.
McRae pulled the trigger and injected half-back Josh into the middle in the final quarter against the Suns and he nearly won the game for the Magpies.
The 26-year-old's quarter was unbelievable. in the final term alone Daicos collected 16 disposals, 10 contested, five tackles, four clearances, 307m gained and kicked two goals.
Most players would be happy with those numbers for an enitre game.
Earlier this year, Corey Wagner did a brilliant job on Nick Daicos, holding him to a season-low 18 disposals. But the Dockers still lost.
No one would blame Longmuir for once again looking to tag Nick, but if McRae decides to throw Josh into the first centre bounce, he may need to change his tactics.
It looms as a decision that could be match-defining and in a season as tight as this, it could be the difference between the Dockers playing in September or missing finals.
Beating Collingwood at the MCG would put Fremantle in not only a prime position to make finals, but a genuine top four threat.
But the Dockers must find a way to stop both Daicos brothers from tearing them apart or they're going to be just another scalp for the powerhouse side at the home of football.
Hidden Gems Eagle Must Uncover
A lot of attention around West Coast's list build will understandably fall on the players they take with the top draft picks, players they trade in or free agents they land over the next few years.
Premiership lists are not only made off these big decisions but also the hidden gems list bosses and recruiters can find with either late draft picks or as rookies.
There are two players in the WAFL right now that the Eagles should be doing a lot of work.
The first is West Perth big-bodied midfielder
Kane Bevan
.
Having only just turned 21, Bevan has emerged this year as a promising talent and showed West Coast exactly what he is made of against their WAFL side on Saturday night.
Against the likes of Tim Kelly and Jack Petruccelle, Bevan stood out with an incredible game that will have likely impressed recruiters across the country.
The Falcons youngster kicked three goals from 33 disposals, six tackles and five clearances to be the best on ground.
It is the type of performance that should have the Eagles considering Bevan for a spot on their list going forward.
Bevan has power out of the contest and runs both ways. Put the young man in an AFL program and these attributes are only to get stronger while his weaknesses can be ironed out.
West Coast need more big bodies around the contest and rather than looking to recycle former AFL players, players like Bevan should be prioritised.
He is still young enough to have a decade-long career if the right development is put around him.
Another player the Eagles should be keeping close tabs on is Claremont defender Jasper Peace.
If you speak to those around the Tigers, they will confidently tell you the 19-year-old backman has the attributes to be an AFL player.
Peace is strong one-on-one but can also play off his man and take intercept marks, having proved himself on some of the best WAFL forwards like Trey Ruscoe.
And while he is already 89kg and 192cm, there is still some size for the young man which would help him become an AFL defender.
The Eagles are needing depth down back after the sudden retirement of Jeremy McGovern and the loss of Tom Barrass to Hawthorn.
Peace is the kind of player who could follow in the path of a McGovern if given the right development.
And with the five-time All-Australian still around the club, there is no reason McGovern could pass on his expansive knowledge to Peace to help the fellow Claremont product out.