Melbourne great Garry Lyon has accused Fremantle of “running away from the fire” in their season-altering loss to Brisbane on Friday night.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon has expressed strong criticism of the Fremantle Dockers following their significant 57-point defeat to the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on March 15, 2024. This loss not only jeopardizes the Dockers’ chances of a top-four finish but also puts their entire season at risk as they head into a critical final round.
Entering the match, Fremantle had the opportunity to secure a place in the top four, but the crushing defeat leaves them facing the prospect of missing the finals for a second consecutive year. In 2023, the team suffered four consecutive losses in the final month, leading to their early exit from the finals. They now find themselves in a similar situation, with a do-or-die clash against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium looming.
Lyon remarked on AFL360 that the Dockers’ performance against the reigning premiers mirrored their struggles from last season. “You’ve got to run to the fire, and they didn’t last year, they ran away from it, and they ran away from it again when it mattered most,” Lyon stated. He acknowledged that while Justin Longmuir, Fremantle’s coach, may defend the team’s prior success with “11 of 12” wins, the lack of competitiveness in key moments is concerning.
Fremantle’s failure to respond to Brisbane’s predictable strategies was evident, leading to confusion and disarray in their forward line. Lyon emphasized the importance of entering the upcoming match against the Bulldogs with a sense of expectation, despite the disappointment of the previous outing. “They’re still very much in it, but it was a really disappointing outing,” he noted.
Mathematically, Fremantle can still secure an unlikely top-four spot if other results fall in their favor. They need the Gold Coast Suns to lose against Port Adelaide and Essendon, while also requiring Melbourne to defeat Collingwood, St Kilda to overcome the Giants, and Hawthorn to beat Brisbane. A win over the Bulldogs would guarantee them at least an eighth-place finish, while a loss would complicate their path to the finals significantly.
Lyon also pointed out specific areas for improvement, particularly in Fremantle’s forward system. He suggested that Josh Treacy should be given more freedom and that the attacking zone should be better utilized. Lyon recalled a moment of dominance from Treacy, highlighting his ability to push defenders and score crucial goals. “What they’ve got to do is take advantage of what they’ve got—players forward of the ball that can do some damage,” he said.
As Fremantle prepares for their must-win match, the pressure is on to avoid repeating last season’s disappointing exit from the finals. The stakes have never been higher, and the Dockers must find a way to harness their talent and perform under pressure as the season approaches its climax.
