Fremantle’s intent in the contest meant little when the execution was poor, according to Hayden Young following a disappointing 36-point loss to Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The stats sheet was more than misleading for Fremantle, being on top in a number of areas with a handful of players putting up numbers that would look like match winning performances.
Freo convincingly won the disposals (+47), hit outs (+26) and contested ball (+23), while bettering Collingwood for disposal efficiency and centre clearances.
Additionally, Will Brodie, David Mundy and Andrew Brayshaw all had 30+ disposals and a goal, while Brodie was monstrous in the middle with 20 contested possessions and 11 clearances.
Yet Fremantle never looked like threatening the Magpies, with Young saying Freo let themselves down with some of the basics they’ve done right earlier in the season.
This included Freo’s inability to lock the ball in inside 50 to create repeat opportunities, and also turning the ball over in dangerous areas.
“I thought we cracked in – we can’t question our intent in the contest, it’s once again our execution,” Young said.
“We didn’t play the conditions as well as we could have. We should have looked to take more territory and surge kick, which is what Collingwood did well.
“We were a little bit cute at times and we didn’t give our forwards enough time and opportunity to have some good looks at goal.
“We had good supply through the midfield but we didn’t get the looks inside 50 that we were after to lock the ball in and get some shots on goal.
“The midfield fought hard all day but we didn’t help them with our team defence and our forwards didn’t help by locking it in and giving (the midfield) a rest. It was a whole team performance that was lacking.”
Fremantle have six days to regroup before facing their biggest test of the season in the undefeated Narrm (Melbourne) Demons.
“It’s exciting and we want to move on quickly and look towards Melbourne and look at how we can bring our best footy and hopefully get a win,” Young said.
“(The MCG) is one of my favourite grounds to play at. It will be good to get there next week. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“Melbourne are in great form and we think our best footy is good enough, we just need to get back to what we’re good at and bring that next week.”
Fremantle wore a special Michael Walters designed Indigenous Jumper in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash, with Young saying the jumper helped the team bond throughout the week.
“It was great to run out in Sonny’s jumper,” Young said.
“We spoke about it during the week and the meaning behind it. We all felt connected by it as a playing group. It’s going to be another great opportunity to wear it next week.”
Young thanked the 35,534 fans who braved the wet conditions at Optus Stadium.
“They were really good tonight. It was disappointing we couldn’t get the job done for them,” Young said.
“We felt the crowd was electric all the way to the end, we really appreciate their support in those conditions tonight. It was good to see a lot of faces out there.”
