The Fremantle Dockers did exactly what was required of them against Essendon on Saturday night, according to star midfielder Lachie Neale.

Freo put together a four-quarter effort against the Bombers, and Neale said the display was exactly what senior coach Ross Lyon was looking for.

“Ross said we did what we needed to tonight,” Neale said.
 
“We were playing an undermanned team and we knew that, but I thought the boys dug in for four quarters and it was great to finally get a win.”

Neale said Freo’s ability to string together quality ball movement was an important factor in the win, and the goal would now be to build on their good performance.

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“It was a really important step for us,” he said.

“We had to move the ball like we did and we though that was a real positive.

“We’ve been working hard on it and it hadn’t come together so far but tonight we showed improvement and we just need to keep that going next week.”


The hard-nosed midfielder finished with 42 disposals in Freo’s 79-point win, and said he’d embraced an expanded leadership role in 2016.

“I’m trying to lead by example at the moment and bring some of those younger guys with me,” he said.

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“I’m trying to step it up a little bit, direct and lead a bit out there but I thought as a midfield group we were really strong in that area.”

Neale also said the continued growth of younger players had been a real positive of Freo’s season and that it was important for them to have their hard work rewarded with a win.

“It’s always a bit of fun,” He said of showering his teammates in Gatorade during the team song.

“Darcy (Tucker), Connor (Blakely) and ‘Collo’ (Sam Collins) were the three who hadn’t played in a win so it’s been a long time coming for them.”