Emerging Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale believes there are plenty of positives to take out of the match against Sydney, despite a nine-point loss in the NAB Challenge.

MATCH REPORT

Neale starred with 33 disposals and received praise from coach Ross Lyon, but said Freo didn’t do themselves any favours after a slow start.

“We unfortunately put ourselves in a position to be a few goals behind, but we got to practice some things to try and win the game,” Neale said.

“I thought in the last quarter we were really good, but we have a couple of things to improve on and we’ll build from here.

“We only played about one half of good footy, which against top opposition, doesn’t get it done.

“We’ll take some lessons from today and look forward to round one in a few weeks and West Coast next week.”

The match was played in difficult conditions at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval, but Neale says the pre-season game had plenty of benefits to help the team.

“The first half was dry but it was really windy, tough conditions,” Neale said.

“On one hand it gave us a chance to get to practice some structures and do some things that we will try throughout the year.

“It was tough conditions in the second half as it got slippery and wet, but once again a good chance to practice wet weather footy.”

Neale has made it his aim to improve his tackling in 2015 and he delivered well in another strong performance, laying eight against the Swans.

“I think last week I had zero, so it’s been a focus in the pre-season and I came in today with that same focus,” he said.

“I think my ‘want’ to tackle was a bit stronger today.”

Freo now takes on West Coast at Domain Stadium (formerly Patersons Stadium) next Sunday 22 March in the final NAB Challenge pre-season hit-out.

“It will be about getting minutes into the guys, that will be the main focus,” Neale said.

“It’s a good chance to get on our home ground and practice the things we have been working on all summer at an actual AFL venue.”