With 18 seconds remaining in Fremantle’s round 20 clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium, the Fox Footy commentary team called the upcoming boundary throw-in ‘the biggest stoppage of the season for both teams’.
When the siren eventually sounded - seeing Freo secure a four-point win - senior coach Justin Longmuir celebrated accordingly in the coaches’ box.
It was a landmark win for the Club, with Fremantle fielding their youngest team since 2018 and taking down the reigning premiers.
Minutes later on the ground, Longmuir made sure to get around every single player to congratulate them on their efforts.
“You try and contain yourself and not get caught up in the game too much,” Longmuir told 7NEWS.
“You feel helpless at the end of tight games, apart from putting a few signs up on the boundary line.
“For the siren to finally go and to end what was a tense game, some of the emotions overflowed and I’m just really pleased for everyone at the footy club.”
Can't remember a game where this group has shown the emotion they did post game - from the players on the field to JL breaking a desk in the box ??, it was clear how much this one meant. What a time to be on purple #ForeverFreo pic.twitter.com/aXs7f0aE3v
— Amber (@bam_123_) August 3, 2021
Fremantle likely need to win at least two of their remaining games against Brisbane, West Coast and St Kilda to stay in the top eight however Longmuir said the focus was on building from their efforts against Richmond.
“I’m not really too fazed by how many wins we need,” Longmuir said.
“We just need to keep playing and building on the footy that we dished up on the weekend.
“I thought our effort and application to the role and ability of our players to play for each other was really strong. It’s a good platform to build off for the coming weeks.”
After a brilliant 39 disposal performance against Richmond, young star Andrew Brayshaw did not take part in Tuesday’s light session.
Longmuir joked about there being no concerns with the midfielder’s fitness.
“There’s no problems, I think it might be a bit of leather poisoning on the weekend. Nothing too serious though,” Longmuir said.
“He was brilliant, led by example and really stood up when the game was on the line.”
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