Michael Barlow's emphatic response to his axing has given Fremantle an enormous boost, says Fremantle Dockers defender Lee Spurr.
Barlow produced a career-best performance in Fremantle's win over Port Adelaide last Saturday afternoon, gathering 43 disposals and kicking two goals while holding Power star Robbie Gray to just 18 touches in a run-with role.
Barlow was sent back to the WAFL for a fortnight following the round seven loss to Greater Western Sydney and while he fundamentally disagreed with coach Ross Lyon about the decision his response has been extraordinary.
He gathered 83 disposals and kicked three goals in his two WAFL games before being recalled.
He's averaged nearly 31 disposals and kicked three goals since returning to the Freo Dockers side while keeping David Zaharakis (11 disposals), Daniel Rich (18 disposals) and Gray quiet in the process.
Spurr said Barlow's response has lifted Fremantle's team.
"We've seen players come and go but how they respond is the most important thing," Spurr said on Monday.
No "perfect science" for Barlow revival
"He stayed really positive and came back in and just tweaked his role a bit and now he's really contributing to the team in the vein that he wants to and the team wants him to. I think it's really good for the side."
Spurr said the atmosphere around the club has been really positive after three straight wins.
The Freo Dockers' improvement in their ball movement has been the most pleasing aspect of their play.
Following the loss to Carlton back in round five, Lyon described the Freo Dockers' inability to transition the ball from half-back as "our annus horribilis".
Spurr said the improvement in that area over the last three weeks was clear for all to see.
"That's undeniable," Spurr said.
Trademark Freo performance
"We're not turning it over as much, which is good. I think it's a combination of just the hard work we've put in over the summer and sticking to the game plan and the group really sticking together and being resolute, which has been a real strength over the first half of the year when really we haven't had the results going our way."
Hayden Crozier's move to half-back has also helped in that regard. Crozier had spent the majority of his first four seasons at the club as a reserve half-forward battling for opportunities behind Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne.
But his move into defence has helped the Freo Dockers' ball movement.
"He's a really talented player and he's got that natural flare," Spurr said.
"You just want him to play his natural game and be really confident with the ball within the team guidelines. You can really see that happening, which is great."
Spurr said the Freo Dockers' defensive group was improving rapidly in the absence of experienced All Australian defender Michael Johnson.
