With three wins from their opening five games, Fremantle can boast a positive win-loss differential for the first time since 2015.
Freo has prevailed in a come from behind fashion in all three of their victories in 2017, and in the last fortnight, they’ve come via game-winning goals in the dying minutes from new recruits Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten.
According to Kersten, the game-winner in Saturday’s night’s clash with North Melbourne at Domain Stadium, Fremantle’s ability to keep fighting has been crucial.
“At the end of the day the win is because we fought on gamely,” Kersten said.
“We had some things that we put in place during the week, and when the game came down to it, that was what put us in good stead.”
The Kangaroos held a 15-point lead at three quarter time, having not won a final term in 2017.
Conversely, Kersten said Fremantle were able to gain confidence from their most recent wins.
“It was pretty simple, we’ve been in that situation a couple of times with our backs against the wall,” Kersten said.
“We knew that our best footy could stand up, and we hadn’t played anywhere near our best in the first couple of quarters.
“We had faith and got over the line in the end.”
Kersten added that it was crucial for Fremantle to prevail under challenging circumstances.
“We’ve got to grind these (wins) out when we can,” Kersten said.
“We’re not going to win by 10 goals every week.
“This competition’s so even, and on any given day anyone can beat anyone.
“We’ll take the win, we’ll review it pretty hard as there’s a lot of improvement and upside within our game.
“We weren’t perfect but in the end we got over the line which was good.”
