Fremantle forward Chris Mayne said Freo put themselves behind the eight ball on Sunday with their slow start against the undefeated North Melbourne.
 
The Kangaroos kicked the first four goals of the game and Mayne said that while the effort to get back into the game was a positive, the deficit took its toll on Freo as the game went on.
 
“It definitely takes a toll on any side,” Mayne said.
 
“They jumped us which was disappointing and in the last quarter they did it as well.
 
“Teams that win the first quarter often go on to win the game, and they had a very strong start.”
 
Mayne said he was proud of Freo’s ability to fight their way back into the game, but on too many occasions the slow start was to their detriment.

Talking points after Kangaroos loss

“We had to show some character, we bounced back throughout the game,” he said.
 
“We gave effort all day, tried our hardest and were able to hit the front but the energy we spent trying to get back into the game put us under the pump a bit more than we should’ve been.”

One of the main factors in Freo getting back into the contest was the constant pressure and tackling, notably that of younger players Ed Langdon and Lachie Weller.
 
Mayne laid seven tackles himself against North Melbourne, and said that it was an aspect of his game that he’d continue to work hard at, regardless of the outcome of the game.
 
“That’s been my role over the journey so far in my career,” he said.
 
“That’s to pressure, tackle, and give my teammates the best opportunity to come away with a goal.
 
“It’s something I’ll never stop doing.”