Cam McCarthy says his four-goal performance wasn’t as crucial as the contribution of Freo’s midfield and defence in their 23-point win over Gold Coast at Domain Stadium.
It was McCarthy’s biggest haul in Freo colours, benefiting from some quality delivery from Fremantle’s midfield.
On the night, Freo marked 20.9 per cent of kicks inside 50 compared to their season average of 17.4 per cent.
“It’s just four goals but I think our midfielders and backline, they did all the work,” McCarthy said.
“When the midfielders move the ball the way they did, over lapping and having blokes like Bradley Hill, Stephen Hill and Nat Fyfe in the side, it’s makes it easy for me Kersto (Shane Kersten) and (Hayden) Ballantyne to kick a few snags.”
Kersten snaps a bender #foreverfreo #AFLFreoSuns pic.twitter.com/kF2VTWl1k2
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 5, 2017
The win was Freo’s first at home since mid-May aginast Carlton in round nine, and McCarthy said it was crucial to break a run of poor form at home.
“It’s good to get a win for the fans, “ McCarthy said.
“We’ve been playing some pretty competitive footy away but we haven’t been playing our best footy at home.
“It’s good to put together a four quarter performance to get a win for the fans.”
McCarthy hopes Freo can continue the momentum next week into their away-clash with Sydney.
Sydney has won 11 of their past 13 games and are coming off a resounding away win against Geelong.
“It’s going to be tough,” McCarthy said.
"I thought our ball movement and stoppage work was quite strong" - Lyon
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 5, 2017
Watch full press conference: https://t.co/rxYLdTgQ0X pic.twitter.com/eBVxyjHrSe
“They’re the in-form team at the moment in the whole competition.
“If we put together a four quarter performance, and continue to play well away from home, we’ll look to take this performance over there and have a crack.”
McCarthy’s fourth goal was a spectacular volley from mid-air with the outside of his boot.
The 22-year-old said the goal came from a split-second decision.
“I was in two minds whether to gather it or soccer it,” McCarthy said.
“I just went for the old Jackie Chan kick and it went for a goal.”
Four goals to Cam McCarthy now after some quick thinking on this loose ball #AFLFreoSuns pic.twitter.com/bBZ1i0pINL
— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2017