Fremantle v Collingwood: The proof Justin Longmuir’s system is failing at a disturbing rate

The Dockers didn’t embarrass themselves like last week – this was just another middle-of-the-road performance from a middle-of-the-road club, writes ELIZA REILLY.

If comparison is the thief of joy, then Fremantle players would’ve been listless at the ease with which Collingwood was able to score from limited opportunities on Friday night.

The effort was there. The response was there. The polish was not.

Fremantle didn’t embarrass themselves like the week prior against St Kilda. But they didn’t get redemption either. This was another middle-of-the-road performance from a middle-of-the-road club.

The stats say Fremantle should’ve won. The Dockers dominated inside 50s 62-34, clearances 43-30 and disposals 375-300.

The external factors say Fremantle should’ve won. The Magpies had to travel off a five-day break, were missing four key players and lost one of their best on the night, Lachie Schultz, to a sickening concussion.

But the Dockers didn’t. And they only have themselves to blame.

Josh Treacy after the loss to Collingwood. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos

While Sam Switkowski missed an easy target inside 50 with a couple of seconds left to play in the third quarter, Bobby Hill continually burnt the Dockers out the back down the other end.

While the Dockers bombed the ball inside 50 time and time again, Nick Daicos was taking marks on the lead despite struggling to cover the ground.

While Fremantle players fumbled and missed handballs, Jamie Elliot was slotting them from the pocket en route to six majors.

Fremantle went inside 50 63 times, nearly double its 34 entries last week, but could only manage 12 goals. Collingwood kicked 15 majors from 33 inside 50s.

Sam Switkowski takes possession on Thursday night. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

What does Justin Longmuir do now? Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos

“Our effort, our trademark acts, our attention to detail were a lot better this week,” Switkowski told this masthead post-game. “We just butchered our opportunities going forward.

“At times, we didn’t have composure. It’s absolutely on our forwards as well to make sure we’re giving good options and finishing off our work as well.

“We turned it over a bit too easily at times and gave them easy scoring shots. They didn’t do that to us down the other end. We worked really hard to create our entries, but they found a way to defend better and play safer coming out of inside 50.

“We weren’t efficient. If you waste your chances, it’s very hard to finish the day on top.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir bristles at discussion of his side’s ball movement. But Champion Data revealed during the week that the Dockers are the slowest ball movement team in the AFL. Watching Fremantle and Collingwood go head-to-head at times resembled pitting Gout Gout against Fat Cat.

Even the fans were getting restless and pleading with their players to kick it forward.

The Magpies can go fast because they implicitly trust their system to hold up if their attack fails. We can’t trust Fremantle to move the footy because Fremantle can’t trust themselves.

In a previous life absent of top-end talent, the Dockers under Longmuir were a side forged in system.

Now that Fremantle seemingly has talent, its system is failing at a disturbing rate.

When Hill spotted up Daicos on a lead inside 50 in the second quarter, Brennan Cox baked his midfielders and forwards for not folding back fast enough.

While Tim Membrey was lining up for a set shot in the third quarter, Luke Ryan was berating his teammates.

“That sort of communication is pretty common,” Switkowski said. “We try to be really firm with each other out there and make sure we’re all digging in on defence.

“There were elements that were good in our defence tonight, but they were really efficient and were able to attack in a different way.”

A team defence that once was one of the best in the league was mercilessly unpicked by the Magpies. The man who helped concoct that defence, Matthew Boyd, watched smugly from the opposing coach’s box.

At Collingwood, both things can be true. It’s not black and white. Talent and system can exist on the same beautiful spectrum.

No Scott Pendlebury, no Jordan De Goey, no Brayden Maynard and no Brody Mihocek, no problems for Collingwood.

A malfunctioning mid-forward connection, another injury to Sean Darcy, and a coach under pressure, plenty of problems for Fremantle.

“We’re all on the same page,” Switkoswki said. “We all support JL. We believe in our game plan.”

Originally published as Fremantle v Collingwood: The proof Justin Longmuir’s system is failing at a disturbing rate