‘Write us off again’: Freo coach delivers statement after failed test as Lions admit ‘relief’

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir isn’t ready to concede his side won’t play finals this season after Friday’s night’s 57-point loss to Brisbane.

But he did say that Friday was the first time his team has lacked composure this season when trying to chase down a score.

Coming from behind to win has not been an issue for the Dockers this season.

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Five of their six most recent wins came after trailing at three-quarter-time.

They chased the Lions from the get-go in Perth on Friday, but there was no fighting comeback this time.

“I suppose the pressure of the game, in terms of being behind on the scoreboard, we just had to chase, and we didn’t chase well,” Longmuir said.

“As I said to the players, it’s probably the first time I’ve seen us be behind and lack composure, in those plays where (Josh Treacy) takes a mark in the goal square and you go to play on.”

His kick got smothered by Ryan Lester.

“The opportunity before that, it just looked like we were out everywhere, and Jaeger (O’Meara) missed a shot from 15 meters out,” Longmuir continued.

“And both those plays we dwelled on, and both those kick-ins went up the middle, and they got field position and scored.

“So, it felt like it was the first time we’ve been in that position for a while, we’ve probably felt the pressure of the game and lacked a little bit of composure to finish our work off.”

Dockers exposed? Lions cement finals | 02:06

The Dockers were chasing the Lion because they failed to make the most of their chances in front of goals.

They had the same number of scoring shots as the Lions in the first term but trailed 0.5 to 3.2 at the break.

They put 0.8 on the board before their first goal came late in the second quarter. And went into the second half trailing 5.4 to 3.8.

They were eight points behind, despite having had two more scoring shots.

As sides have proven so many times before, bad kicking becomes contagious.

The Dockers will likely have to beat the Western Bulldogs next Sunday to qualify for finals.

Amazingly, someone seems certain to miss out with 15 wins this season.

Hayden Young and Matt Johnson should both be available to return.

But the Dockers have recently brought several players back into the side that have not played a lot of football, including captain Alex Pearce, Corey Wagner and Nat Fyfe, who announced his retirement at the end of this season.

Longmuir agrees that it’s a risk.

“Yeah, it is, we just have to work through that,” he said.

“We’re getting to the end of the season, sometimes there’s a bit more risk this time of the year with that stuff as well.

“We won’t be playing any of those players if they’re underdone and they’re 50-50, but if they get through training and put their hand up for selection, then we’ll have a discussion.

“We’ll go over there and give our best shot.

“We’ve won 11 of 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I’ve got a lot of faith in this team.

“We’ve grown a lot. We’ve already won three more games than last year.

“I haven’t said farewell to Fyfey yet. We’ve got plenty of footy left in us.”

Fagan still seeking top 4 'guarantee' | 08:20

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan admitted that it is a relief that his side will play Hawthorn in round 24 for a potential spot in the top four and not as a battle for the Lions just to play finals.

The reigning premiers dominated possession, with 106 more disposals than Fremantle, most of them uncontested. The Lions took 159 marks to the Dockers 61.

After winning the flag the hard way in 2024, from outside the top four (fifth), Fagan said he thinks the players will be driven to take the easier route this season.

“Oh, it’s a big relief,” he said.

“I was sitting in my hotel room today, thinking, if we lose tonight and we lose next week, we could miss finals, having 14 wins and a draw. That’s unheard of.

“But it was just a relief to have that out of the way. It sort of allows us to plan a little bit forward.

“I guess we’ve got to win next week, obviously there will be a chance to finish top four if we do.

“So, I think this is our seventh year in a row that we’ve qualified for finals. That’s hard to do, particularly if you’re an interstate club, I reckon, because you got to travel more, and there’s a few more obstacles.

“I’m sure it’ll drive the group you know that desire to finish top four.

“There’s probably 1001 different ways the ladder could end up next week, but we’re in control of our own destiny.”

The Lions looked much more stable in defence, with the returns of Ryan Lester and Brandon Starcevich.

Lester kicked his first goal in more than three years, and provided a game highlight when he smothered Josh Treacy’s almost certain goal from the goal line after the big Docker took a mark and played on.

Fagan said it was inspirational.

“Oh, that was inspirational, what he did in the goal square,” he said.

“He’s a guy that’s gotten better with age, really, and there’s no doubt, last week against Sydney, we really missed him, and we really missed Brandon Starcevich in our back line.

“We’re just a little bit young and inexperienced, but it was good to have those two back tonight.”

Fagan joked that the club should campaign to move next week’s game away from the Gabba, because of their away record this season.

Friday night’s win in Perth was the Lions ninth in 2025 away from home. They have lost twice on the road and also drew with North Melbourne in Tasmania.

They have won just six of 10 at home.

That record served them well last season, winning the last three of their four finals away from Queensland.

They beat Greater Western Sydney in the Semi-Final at the Showgrounds and both Geelong, in the Preliminary Final and Collingwood, in the Grand Final, at the MCG.

“We need to improve our form at home,” Fagan said.

“We just should travel somewhere and play next week, to be honest.”

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