Fremantle’s ability to fight back from adversity early in Saturday’s clash against the Lions was a source of confidence for the rest of the game, according to key forward Matt Taberner.

The Lions kicked the first three goals of the game but Freo responded by kicking 23 of the next 29 on their way to an 83-point victory.

“We absorbed the heat pretty early and managed to get the ball back, work it around and control the game,” Taberner said.

“We had quite a few key focuses for the game and after we fought back we were really able to implement them the way we wanted to.”

Tucker sees great signs for Freo's future

Taberner was a strong performer against the Lions with five goals and was a constant aerial threat, but he was quick to credit his Freo teammates further up the ground.

“It always helps,” he said of Freo’s efficient delivery into the forward line.

“Our forward pressure early on really helped and we managed to turn the ball over in an attacking midfield area and were able to make them pay.

“Our small forwards also provided great outlets for us to move the ball out of our defensive half.”

Tanner Smith recollects first goal

While Taberner was a handful for the Lions defenders, he said his forward line sidekick Tanner Smith played a very important role in just his third game of AFL football.

“It’s a huge credit to Tanner who’s come in for his third game and he competed really well the whole night,” he said.

“He did a great job of bringing our smaller guys like ‘Ballas’ (Ballantyne), ‘Sonny’ (Walters) and Lachie Weller into the play.”

Taberner said a career-high goal haul wouldn’t change his approach for Freo’s clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday.

“It’s going to be the same focus heading into Port Adelaide,” he said.

“That’s just to play my role, compete and give us the best chance to score goals whether that’s by marking or bringing it down to the ground.”