Fremantle's eight-point loss to West Coast in front of a record crowd at Optus Stadium can be attributed to a crucial period of the Eagles controlling the contest, according to midfielder Lachie Neale.
It was the highest crowd for an AFL game in WA, with 56,521 fans in attendance.
West Coast kicked five goals to Fremantle’s one in the second term, seeing the Eagles turn a 20-point quarter time deficit into an eight-point lead at half time.
Neale said there was an easy fix for the disappointing lapse and Freo rebounded in the second half - despite playing with one less rotation after Michael Walters went off the ground with in the second quarter with a knee injury.
West Coast led the inside 50s 33-11 at half time, however Freo won the stat in the second half with 34 inside 50s to West Coast’s 22.
“I think they got numbers forward of the ball better than us and outnumbered us at the contest,” Neale said.
“It’s something that we can improve pretty quickly.
“In the first half that was an issue but in the second we tidied that up a bit and we had more inside 50s which gave out forwards more of a chance.”
Neale starred for Fremantle with 35 touches, eight marks and eight tackles and was voted the joint-winner of the Ross Glendinning medal in a tie with Eagles captain Shannon Hurn.
It was the third Western Derby best on ground medal win for Neale in his career.
“It’s something I’ll probably look back on and be proud of but at the moment there’s just that feeling of disappointment from losing the match, especially against West Coast,” Neale said.
“Full credit to them, they played really well and beat us on the day. Hopefully, we’ll get them next time.”
After back-to-back weeks at home, Fremantle head to Melblourne to face Richmond at the MCG.
The Tigers are sitting pretty on top of the AFL ladder and Neale said it was important to be tested against the best teams in the competition.
“They’re the in-form team and the reigning premiers,” Neale said.
“It will be a good challenge. it's one that the boys will really relish it as we’ll get to test ourselves against the best.”
