Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge got it wrong in accusing Joel Hamling of using illegal holds last week.
Hamling was one of Fremantle’s best players in the 19-point AFL win over the Bulldogs, keeping Aaron Naughton scoreless from just 11 disposals.
Naughton struggled so much against Hamling that he was moved to defence for a period after half time.
After the match, Beveridge vented his frustrations that Naughton didn’t receive any holding free kicks.
Although Beveridge didn’t specifically name Hamling, it was evident that the key defender was the Fremantle player he was talking about.
But Lyon didn’t see anything wrong with Hamling’s tactics.
“I was disappointed that it was alluded to that he hung on,” Lyon said.
“I watched the game. I didn’t see one hold. He doesn’t hold.
“He actually doesn’t play with much body, he just uses his speed and gets a fist in.”
When asked if Beveridge’s comments surprised him, Lyon replied: “Nothing surprises me. I’m just saying it probably pricked my attention, and I had a really close look at it. I thought it was inaccurate.”
Hamling looms as a key figure in Sunday’s clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
The former Bulldog could be handed the job on Taylor Walker, who has returned to form with seven goals over the past two weeks.
Lyon said it was critical for the Dockers to put pressure on further up the field to help out the likes of Hamling and Alex Pearce.
“If we don’t have pressure on, (even Carlton great) Stephen Silvagni wouldn’t be able to stop Taylor,” Lyon said.
Dockers midfielder Connor Blakely impressed in his first game back from hamstring surgery last week, tallying 20 disposals for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
Lyon said Blakely would be in the selection mix for an AFL recall this week, but hinted it would be hard to squeeze him into a side coming off wins against GWS and the Bulldogs.
Fremantle sit in second spot on the ladder with a 4-2 record, while Adelaide (3-3) are ninth.
– AAP
