Midfielder Nat Fyfe feels Fremantle’s inferior pressure compared to a frantic Richmond made the difference in their 25-point loss on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
The Tigers were able to make more of their opportunities, outscoring Freo from fewer inside 50s and the same number of scoring shots.
Fyfe felt Freo allowed Richmond to play free-flowing footy, with the Tigers dominating the uncontested ball 253 to 184.
“They were very damaging when they went forward, a part of that was the midfield pressure from us probably wasn’t good enough,” Fyfe said.
“They were just able to walk out and that put our backs under enormous pressure, so we’ll look at that.
“Our wingers and half backs didn’t get much of the ball today. We didn’t play the way we wanted to play, it was a bit straight line.
“We weren’t able to bring Bradley (Hill) and Ed (Langdon) into the game like we would want to.”
Fremantle never led in the contest but a mini-comeback saw Freo tie the scores after the Tigers scored the opening four goals in the clash.
Fyfe said it was tough chasing the Tigers’ tails.
“They jumped us early, they really came to play and kicked the first four goals,” Fyfe said.
“From there we were just playing catch up footy. I don’t think we gave up but it’s hard to win from a position like that.”
Fyfe teamed up well with ruckman Rory Lobb (45 hitouts) to be one of Freo’s best on the day, collecting 33 disposals, 21 contested possessions, seven clearances and kicking three goals.
He said that Fremantle faces a tough test against Essendon on a six-day break at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
“The competition doesn’t get any easier but we’ve travelled ok this year and we’ll be rallying behind that,” Fyfe said.
“It’s a six-day break, a few guys are corked and bruised and they’ll have to get on top of their treatment.
“We’ll butter up and look forward to taking them on.”
