NAB Challenge counts for no Premiership points, but captain Matthew Pavlich was happy with how Fremantle turned their form around in the second half in the 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
“We were really disappointed with last week and disappointed with our second quarter tonight,” he said.
“The effort and the attitude in the second half is what we’re more about.”
Pavlich brought the players in after the final siren and addressed the group about their performance.
“I tried to summarise what the second half looked liked compared to the second quarter,” he said.
“It was more of a message of what our effort looks like when we’re at our best.”
Coach Ross Lyon said the club wasn’t shying away from its second quarter lapse, adding that, at times, Freo weren’t hard enough at the contest.
Ross Lyon post-match: NAB Challenge v Bulldogs
Chris Mayne added to Freo's forward pressure after returning from injury as the sub.
The forward told fremantlefc.com.au earlier in the week he was fit and eager to get some minutes into his legs.
He was a welcomed inclusion in the second-half after he slotted a goal from the boundary on the tightest of angles.
Fremantle will back at Etihad Stadium in two weeks to open the 2014 AFL season against Collingwood.
