Fremantle couldn’t stop a clinical Richmond at a wet Optus Stadium, with defender Brennan Cox lamenting Freo’s lack of composure in Saturday’s 15-point loss.

The Tigers looked home halfway through the third quarter after Rhyan Mansell put Richmond 36-points up, but Freo surged to get within seven points early in the final term.

An arm-wrestle followed for the remainder of the quarter with Freo unable to get the knockout blow.

Cox credited Richmond for being the better team on the night.

“We ran out of time but we were pretty much beaten all day, they handled the conditions better than us and we were a bit fumbly and lacked execution,” Cox said.

“We made a good late surge but they were on top of us today.

“(In the second half) we adjusted to the conditions and took the game on a bit.

“We were a lot cleaner as well and were able to stop them coming out of the stoppage and getting it going out the front door a bit more.”

With Sean Darcy (hamstring) and Jaeger O’Meara (suspended) on the sidelines, Fremantle turned to their youth to fill the voids.

21-year-old Luke Jackson was outstanding in the ruck with 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 33 hitouts, while 20-year-old Josh Treacy was strong in support with seven hitouts, six marks and a goal.

19-year-old Matthew Johnson stepped up on O’Meara’s absence with 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances and six tackles as he looked composed beyond his years.

Perhaps the most impressive performance was from another 19-year-old in Jye Amiss, kicking a career-high four goals in conditions that should normally challenge the 196cm key forward.

Cox praised Freo’s young players for their efforts on a testing evening.

“The way (Amiss) leads at the ball and marks it on his chest, it’s really nice and he’s easy to kick to. I think he’s going to be a superstar for Freo,” Cox said.

“On a day like today, you’d think the small forwards (would be more suited to the conditions). He played really well.

“Johnno the big bodied mid, he’s 192cm, he filled JOM’s role really nicely.

“We missed Sean, he’s one of the best rucks in the comp but ‘Jacko’ stood up really well and JT as well as the second ruck, he was doing his part too.”

Cox said Fremantle will look to bounce back against GWS and return to their pre-bye form.

“Footy isn’t going to be all liner, it has it’s up and downs, we’ll get back on the horse next week against GWS and we’re hoping to get one back,” Cox said.

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