Senior coach Justin Longmuir says Fremantle’s 16-point loss to Carlton was especially frustrating after Freo squandered numerous opportunities to take the upper hand on Saturday night.
A lack of composure in front of goal cost Fremantle a chance to move into the top eight as the team's wayward kicking returned in a 16-point loss to Carlton on Saturday night.
Fremantle kicked 8.16 at the MCG and failed to kick more goals than behind for the 12th time this season, with 4.7 in a dominant third quarter against the Blues proving costly.
It came as Freo passed up the chance to move into the top eight, now sitting 10th, two points and percentage behind GWS.
"Missing out on being in the eight this week is disappointing, but we need to focus on the process," he said.
"We need to make sure we get a more even contribution across the whole field, we need to make sure we’re better in those tight situations late. We've lost a couple of close ones this year.
“I know our fans will be frustrated. But we’re doing a lot right as well. That’s probably what makes it more frustrating."
Longmuir said allowing Carlton to kick the first five goals only made life harder when opportunities came in front of goal later in the game.
"Some of the easy shots on goal were general play shots and I saw it as a lack of composure," the coach said.
"When you give the opposition a head start like we did, you're always playing catch up.
"We were just chasing the game all night because of our start and we've just got to keep working on our goalkicking.
"It's been an issue this year and continues to be an issue."
Longmuir refused to blame Saturday night's performance on a chaotic week that saw the Dockers' home game relocated from Optus Stadium to the MCG because of COVID-19 precautions in Perth.
He said Fyfe's dislocated right shoulder had held up well after the captain's first game back, but the dual Brownlow medallist would be a "week-to-week" proposition.
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