Freo lost by 84 points as players missed targets all day long at a windy Arena Joondalup.
But Neale, who was one of the club’s only four-quarter performers, said the team was not focussed on its execution.
“We back ourselves to hit targets, and (on Tuesday) it didn’t happen how we would have liked,” he said.
“You can’t control that, but you can control your effort.
“It wasn’t the effort that was required of us, so we’ll go and review the game and see what we have to do better.
“What we’ll be focussing on is the players’ efforts and making sure that we improve on that next week.”
The 20-year-old admitted the players also failed at times to maintain the disciplined structures fans had become accustomed to seeing over the past two seasons.
“It was a little bit sloppy so we’ll have to tidy that up,” Neale said.
“A lot of the players would learn from that and we’ll try and improve over the next few weeks and try and get ready for round 1.”
Before launching the home and away season against Collingwood on Friday 14 March, Freo will play a trial game against the Eagles.
Neale said the club wouldn’t be looking at that game as a measurement of its improvement from Tuesday’s first NAB Challenge outing.
“We don’t really like to base our performances on other teams, we go about our business and try and improve our own game,” he said.
On a personal note, Neale was pleased with some aspects of his game during his 23-disposal, one-goal performance.
“I thought I was pretty clean with the ball once I got it, but I’ve got a lot to work on,” he said.
Assistant coach Peter Sumich, who coached the team at Arena Joondalup, was impressed with Neale’s effort.
“Lachie was terrific all day in the midfield,” Sumich said.
“We didn’t go that well through the middle, but Lachie was one pleasing aspect and he fought hard.”
Freo’s next NAB Challenge match is against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 26 February.
