Fremantle deep dive: Dockers will continue floundering unless they can seize their moments

Fremantle have a top four list and should be contending for the premiership in 2025 – but have dished up two performances which make them look middle of the road. Eliza Reilly unpacks why.

Until Fremantle learns how to take their moments, the Dockers will continue to be a middle of the road football club.

Fremantle has a top four list. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee decision making and execution when the game is on the line.

Luke Jackson charged out the front of a stoppage seconds into the fourth quarter and fluffed a kick inside 50.

Neil Erasmus had the chance to build on the Dockers’ narrow two-point lead after having his arms chopped and didn’t take it.

Caleb Serong had the footy at halfback and toed a kick into the turf.

Bailey Banfield dropped an easy mark when the Dockers were heading into attack.

Those moments set a tone of uncertainty.

Then there were the fatal flaws.

Patrick Voss’s inbound kick in the final term resulted in Riley Bice’s first AFL goal.

All Voss needed to do was put the footy into the path of Shai Bolton who had a patch of space to work into. Instead, Voss summed up his options and opted for the least logical of them.

It didn’t help that Erasmus suffered a momentary lapse of concentration in transition, allowing Bice to bring the game back within a kick.

Voss had a chance to make amends but missed a set shot with less than eight minutes remaining, finishing with a 1.3 tally on a forgettable afternoon.

Patrick Voss reacts after missing a goal against the Swans. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Brennan Cox lost a crucial wrestle with Joel Amartey that enabled the sealer. Sydney won the final clearance. And a late throw handed the Swans possession.

“That’s probably what lost it for us … a couple of those moments,” co-vice-captain Caleb Serong said. “That’s where we need to be better.”

“They’re the games we want to be a part of, against really good sides. It’s tough when it comes down to moments and those moments let us down.

“It’s not that many. But they cost us.

“We need to sit in that space a little longer and be more comfortable when it’s a real arm wrestle and everything rides on moments.”

Moments have been a consistent theme for Fremantle.

Caleb Serong wasn’t pleased with the Dockers’ ability to stand up when the heat was on. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Last year, a controversial dissent free kick was paid against defender Jordan Clark when he was thought to have sworn at the umpires against Carlton.

Jeremy Sharp had the chance to win the game against Collingwood but missed from 25-metres out with 47 seconds left on the clock.

Serong had Fremantle’s finals hopes on his boot with a set shot late against Port Adelaide in Round 24 and missed.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has been criticised for his game plan. But his players’ failure to execute in the big moments is a big reason why he’s under pressure.

“At times, it cost us games,” Serong said. “At times, when it’s a good side against a good side, unfortunately one has to lose.

“We look at the things we can control. We want to have as little of those costly moments as possible, especially late in games. At the moment, we’re having a few too many.

“We did go to work on it in the pre-season but we didn’t see it today. We’ve done a lot of work on it.

“You can’t replicate the noise, intensity and pressure but we put a lot on the line in pre-season and made sure that everything was a competition.

“Especially in 18 vs. 18 match simulation, there were times the coaches manipulated the score and made us execute situational football. That’s what we can do in training.

“In the end, we need to learn from this. They’re the real lessons.”

IS ERASMUS THE ANSWER?

Fremantle fans have high hopes for top 10 pick Neil Erasmus.

But he’s yet to fully grasp his opportunity at the top level.

Recalled after Fremantle got bullied in the midfield by Geelong, it was a mixed bag for Erasmus.

He had 14 disposals, 299 metres gained and five score involvements. But he had just one clearance and three contested possessions.

Neil Erasmus missed a chance to lock himself into the Dockers’ side. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

He also finished with five turnovers and was guilty of being too slow to release the footy.

He made some mistakes but he has also clearly addressed some of his perceived flaws like inside 50 kicking, a skill he nailed late when he laced out Voss on the lead.

Nat Fyfe is breathing down his neck after another run in the WAFL.

“You can’t question the way he prepares and everything he puts in to make himself the best version of himself he can,” Serong said. “I was happy he got his opportunity today.

“He competes his backside off. He’s consistent in his effort in every contest. He’ll learn a lot from today.”

Shai Bolton looks on after the final siren. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

DO THE DOCKERS NEED MORE FROM SHY SHAI?

There were flashes of brilliance but it was ultimately a timid club debut from boom recruit Shai Bolton.

The former Tiger finished with 15 disposals, six score involvements, four tackles and no goals. Coming off an interrupted pre-season, he had bursts in the midfield and won four clearances.

But the 26-year-old was a touch untidy at times and also gave away a crucial high free kick late.

Originally published as Fremantle deep dive: Dockers will continue floundering unless they can seize their moments