Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has said it’s time for the Dockers to start believing after their second win over a top-two team in so many weeks put them within walking distance of first place.
Playing in front of 47,214 people, the third largest non-derby fan in club history, the Dockers beat Brisbane 15.9 (99) to 13.7 (85).
The win came just a week after beating unbeaten Melbourne at the MCG, gave them a 9-3 record and the bookmakers have them as the third favorites for the Premier League.
Camera IconFremantle had every reason to celebrate. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
Longmuir said the Dockers had shown their courage.
“It simply came to our notice then. Our foot is piling up, “Longmuir said.
“We have a good proof of that. To be able to beat the first two teams, they really have to believe that our foot is good enough and the processes that we have put in place are good enough and the fact that they get to work every day and they do rehearsals in training and in meeting rooms – they should believe in the process.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“We have faced the two best teams in the last two weeks and I think we have stayed especially in this part of the game.”
Camera icon Andrew Brayshaw had a great game. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
The win came a day after captain Nat Fyfe played his first game of the season in the WAFL.
Fremantle will also play without Michael Walters and Matt Taberner, while little striker Sam Switkowski will be available to return from suspension against Hawthorn.
Andrew Brayshaw was brilliant with 39 possessions and nine clearances, Bailey Banfield scored four goals, Rory Lobb and Michael Frederick threw three each and Griffin Logue scored two.
Longmuir does not guarantee that Fyfe will return against Hawthorn on Saturday, but said his effort for Peel was exactly what they expected.
He admitted that the invasion of the crowd at the end of the match had created some concerns for COVID for the Brownlow double medalist, but said it was good for football.
“It was a pleasure to see him back. He was a little rusty. He improved as the game progressed, which was exactly how he thought he would do and as coaches as we thought he would do,” Longmuir said.
Camera icon Michael Frederick was electrifying. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
“It simply came to our notice then.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“But the game was in play and the competitive beast that he is, he wanted to be out there and he wanted to help Peel win.
“It was great for WA Footy, I thought.”