The Fremantle Dockers would lament periods of the game against Hawthorn that soured an otherwise positive move in the right direction for the team, according to midfielder Lachie Neale. 

Neale was instrumental in establishing a tight contest between Freo and Hawthorn up until half time, but said the third quarter let the team down after their strong start to the game. 

“The third quarter really let us down but overall it was a step in the right direction for the group,” Neale said.

“Ross was pretty happy with our effort overall, but there was about a 30 minute patch through the third and bit of the first where we were beaten in the centre bounces.”

Talking points after Hawks loss

Neale finished with 38 disposals against Hawthorn and was influential in the midfield, but said the Hawks took advantage of Freo’s inability to adjust to conditions when kicking into the wind after halftime. 

Hawthorn used the wind to great effect in the third quarter, kicking 8.7 to 0.2 in the third quarter.

“We probably let ourselves down in the third, we forced it up the middle a bit too much and the wind was pretty blustery,” he said. 

“We had to play a bit smarter and go to the dead side (of the ground) a bit more to stop them from scoring, which we probably didn’t do well enough.”