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Frustration builds as Dockers let it slip

3 minute read

Fremantle have missed the chance to move into the AFL top eight after suffering a 16-point loss to Carlton at the MCG.

JUSTIN LONGMUIR
JUSTIN LONGMUIR Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is feeling just as frustrated as the club's fans after yet another wayward goalkicking effort left the side outside of the AFL top eight for at least one more week.

The Dockers would have moved into eighth spot with a win over Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night.

Instead, Fremantle's wonky goalkicking cost them the chance of victory, with Carlton securing a 16-point win despite having four fewer scoring shots and losing the clearance battle 45-26.

Fremantle's reputation as the most inaccurate team in the league grew a leg in the 12.8 (80) to 8.16 (64) loss to Carlton.

It means the Dockers have recorded more goals than points in just three of their 15 games this season.

"We've just got to keep working on it," Longmuir said.

"Some of the easy shots on goal were general play shots and I saw it as a lack of composure.

"It feeds into itself and you lack a bit of composure when you know you've got more time."

The result saw Fremantle drop to 10th spot with a 7-8 record ahead of next week's clash with Hawthorn in Tasmania.

Longmuir knows his team missed a great opportunity against Carlton, and he is feeling the same frustration as the club's fans.

"Missing out on being in the eight this week is disappointing, but we need to focus on the process," Longmuir said.

"We need to make sure we get a more even contribution across the whole field, we need to make sure we're better in those tight situations late. We've lost a couple of close ones this year.

"I know our fans will be frustrated. But we're doing a lot right as well.

"That's probably what makes it more frustrating, we did a lot right for a long time and I felt like we put ourselves in a really strong position, but we just lacked the composure to penetrate in the last quarter."

Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe copped some heavy knocks to his injured right shoulder during the loss to Carlton, but he was able to play out the match and is set to take on Hawthorn next week.

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