Football analyst David King has taken a dig at Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir.
Football analyst David King has publicly criticized Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir following the team’s disappointing loss to Sydney, which saw them fall out of the top eight. Despite a promising streak of six consecutive wins that had placed them just four points behind Adelaide in third position, King has raised concerns about Longmuir’s future with the club.
Speaking on the program First Crack, King asserted that it was “finals or bust” for Longmuir in his sixth season as head coach.
“I just think in 2026, the best job in football is coaching Fremantle,” he said. “I look at their list, I look at where they are and the opportunities in front of this footy club, and I don’t know if that will be Justin Longmuir anymore. I think that he has to play finals this year in his sixth season to show that he is the man.”
Longmuir’s Tenure Under Scrutiny
Since taking over from Ross Lyon in 2020, Longmuir has led Fremantle to the finals only once. The past two seasons have ended in disappointment, with a poor start in 2023 and a dramatic collapse in 2024 costing them playoff opportunities. King highlighted Longmuir’s fluctuating performance record, noting the inconsistency in wins over the years.
“All the evidence (on Longmuir) put before us, you have to question. He’s gone seven wins, 10 wins, 13 wins and a half with a finals opportunity, back to 10, 12 and a half, and now sits on 10,” King said. “Probably he’ll get to 13, but 13’s not going to be enough.”
King emphasized that the upcoming matches against Hawthorn and Collingwood are critical for Longmuir’s future.
“He’s going to have to win against Hawthorn this week, or Collingwood the week after, or find a way to get up against the Dogs in the last game of the year on the road.”
Questioning the “Young Team” Narrative
King dismissed the notion that Fremantle’s struggles could be attributed to their youth, pointing out the experience within the squad.
“Everyone says they’re a young team, I think that’s a nonsense. When you look at that team they had today, they had three players under 22,” he said.
He argued that the team’s performance issues stem from leadership rather than inexperience.
“I don’t give them the outs that others give. You’ve got Treacy, Bolton and Reid – who’s probably going to be one of the favourites for the Rising Star – in the forward line, your midfield is stacked; Jackson we’ve talked about for half the year as being the best ruckman in the competition, Serong, Brayshaw.”
The Road Ahead for Fremantle
Fremantle’s tendency to lose against lower-ranked teams has been a significant factor in their current predicament.
“They’ve lost more games to bottom teams than anyone else. They’re six and four versus the bottom nine. They’ve had 10 games against the poorer opposition, which is the most in the AFL,” King noted.
As Fremantle prepares for crucial matches against Hawthorn and Collingwood, the pressure mounts on Longmuir to secure a playoff spot. The outcome of these games could determine his future with the club.
“Is he the guy to take them all the way to a premiership? I just have my doubts. I think he is under the most pressure right now.”
With the season nearing its climax, Fremantle’s performance in the coming weeks will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as the club grapples with the challenge of breaking into the finals and securing its place among the AFL elite.
