Vice captain Andrew Brayshaw has lamented a lack of hunger in the contest as Fremantle were outplayed in a 39-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday.
Freo improved their efforts in the midfield and won the clearances by nine - an issue that plagued the team in the opening two rounds - but it mattered little as Adelaide took double the number of marks inside 50.
Brayshaw said the Crows went in harder all around the ground, allowing them to score more effectively in the 17.9 (111) to 10.12 (72) result.
“There were a few critical 50-50 balls where they just went in harder,” Brayshaw said.
“They had more confidence with themselves getting over the footy and they made us pay when they went inside 50.
“Opportunities presented themselves where we needed to be harder, hunt the ball and hunt the man.
“There were a few instances where, as a team, we just weren’t hungry enough, and we have to continue to build that connection going forward.
“We had plenty of inside 50s but it’s being able to lock it in, get repeats and score from that.”
Brayshaw led Fremantle for disposals (31) but he felt he didn’t deliver when the game was on the line.
Fourteen of his disposals came in a prolific final term, where he also had seven contested possessions and three clearances.
“In the last quarter, I tried to play to win but I really want to start (the game) like that,” Brayshaw said.
“As a whole team, that’s how we want to start, we want to play with that edge, looking to score at every opportunity. We were too safe in the first half.”
He credited fellow midfielder Caleb Serong for standing up early in the contest when it mattered.
“Caleb’s a super competitor, really clean inside and really strong,” Brayshaw said.
“He proved again why he’s one of the best players in the team. He works really hard every week and I’m really proud of him.”
Fremantle will spend the week in Adelaide as they prepare for a Gather Round clash against Gold Coast at Norwood Oval on Friday.
In a message to the fans, Brayshaw said the coming days would be a crucial time to find solutions to a 1-3 start to the season.
“It’s a chance to regroup, to connect while staying together and reflect on the game,” Brayshaw said.
“We’ll put our eyes towards Gold Coast. It’s bonding and connection time, we’re a family away from home at the moment, so we have to get around each other.
“We’re going to do everything we can to try and get a win next week, we’re always trying to improve.
“It’s not the start to the season we wanted and there’s going to be plenty of people doubting us.
“We’ll never give up, we’ll fight to the end and hopefully we can get a few more wins for you.”
