Experienced midfielder Stephen Hill said Fremantle’s tendency to ‘fade out’ in periods of a match are continuing to prove costly this season.

Hill said Freo must stay on task to avoid giving the opposition a window in which to score consecutive goals at a time.

“We just can’t let teams have those run-ons, it’s probably happened in every game so far this year,” Hill said.

“There has been a quarter or a patch of 15 minutes or so where they have got a run on.

“We’ve just got to find a way not to fade away for a quarter or those patches of footy…and stay on task.

“The boys are obviously really disappointed, but we know when we are playing our best footy, we are competitive.”

Hill believes his own form is benefiting from having consistency back in his training load, after a frustrating start to 2020.

The 30-year-old was close to a playing return in last week’s clash with Port Adelaide before being a late withdrawal with a corked calf.

Hill was impressive early with his sorely missed run off Freo’s half-backline. 

“It’s been a tough sort of period for me, I’ve had a lot of injuries and have been in and out of training,” Hill said.

“It’s good to finally have consistency through training and get a training load in and be back to playing now.

“Fingers crossed I can keep working through…the body pulled up well.”

The 207-gamer was suitably impressed with the defensive efforts of third-gamer Hayden Young, who stood tall in Freo’s backline and was aerially strong.

Young played arguably his best game so far this year, finishing with 15 possessions, seven intercepts, six marks and four tackles.

“He is really impressing me, and he is courageous in the air,” Hill said.

“He’s a really good mark and elite with the ball. He’s going to continue to grow and I look forward to watching him in the future.”

Fremantle were without captain Nat Fyfe for the latter part of the match, after sustaining a right hamstring injury late in the third term.

Hill said Freo’s midfield depth will be drawn on to replace Fyfe should he miss next week’s clash with Adelaide.

“It’s obviously a big loss, he’s our skipper and one of the best players in the competition,” Hill said.

“The next guy will have to come in and play that role and we’ll back in whoever comes in.”