Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says his side was content to enjoy "a Sunday stroll" and paid the price for its poor attitude in its 65-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Lyon said his side was simply not prepared to match the commitment displayed by the much hungrier Bulldogs.

"They (the Bulldogs) were up for a street fight and we were up for a nice Sunday stroll," Lyon said in his post-game press conference.

"We got what we deserved."

Fremantle lost the contested possession count by 43 (114-157), a deficit Lyon labelled "embarrassing".

Fremantle was jumped from the outset as the Bulldogs piled on seven goals to nil in the opening term.

Match report: Dogs dazzle Freo

The two behinds the Freo Dockers kicked contributed to the largest first-quarter deficit of Lyon's decade-long coaching career.

"I take responsibility. It must've been something in our preparation that allowed us to present with that mindset and an inability to work," he said.

"It started out of the middle. First two clearances, two scores.

"They had some fierce pressure and I thought we tried to play perfect football when we should have been taking some ground and gathering ourselves.

"Quite simply I thought their midfield out-tackled and outworked ours, and any ball we did get was 'dirty ball', which meant their running backs were able to bounce out (of defensive 50) on us, and they had good days."

To make matters worse, former skipper Matthew Pavlich was reported for rough conduct for a high-hit on Bulldog Easton Wood.

Freo fall to Bulldog intensity

"You're always concerned when someone gets reported. That's pretty obvious, I would think," Lyon said.

"I saw it but I'm not in a position to comment and I'm sure it will run its course."

Lyon said ruckman Aaron Sandilands was an automatic inclusion for the Freo Dockers' clash with Gold Coast next Saturday evening.

Sandilands' importance has increased with Zac Clarke, who injured his knee at the first centre bounce of Sunday's match, in some doubt to take his place in the side.

Star midfielder Nat Fyfe also appeared to be labouring with a corked thigh, although Lyon said he was "100 per cent fit".

The coach also forecast numerous changes after a demoralising first-up effort against the Bulldogs.

"Aaron's the obvious one; (Michael) Johnson will be available," Lyon said.

"It certainly can't stay the same coming out of this. A change [or two] will be likely."