AFL great Nathan Buckley has stated that Fremantle didn’t handle the pressure that was needed after their loss on the weekend.
The Dockers, who are just outside of the top eight on percentage, lost by 11 points to Sydney on the weekend.
Pressure is rising on Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir to get his talented young side into the finals, but they face a tough run home.
Former Collingwood player and coach Nathan Buckley has commented that Freo didn’t handle the pressure against the Swans on the weekend, and they might not deserve to be in the top eight at the end of the season.
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“Freo were hunted, and they didn’t handle it. They didn’t handle it at all,” Buckley said on SEN.
“James Jordan’s job on (Caleb) Serong was huge, (Shai) Bolton was non-existent early in the game. They were so far away from what their best is in the first half because they were hunted.
“They just hunted them, and Freo did not handle it, and if you can't handle being hunted, well then you’re not actually a contender.”
Buckley added that there could be a bit of complacency in the Western Australian team after their recent wins.
“Maybe there’s a bit of softness when you’ve had six wins in a row, but Fremantle can't afford those missteps; they can’t afford to put themselves behind the eight ball that much,” he said.
“I do look at them and I think they’ve got all the attributes, all the elements that are required to be a contender."
Fremantle have a tough run home in the final seven rounds as they play four top-eight sides and play danger games against Port Adelaide, Carlton and the derby against West Coast Eagles.
Buckley conceded it will be tough for the Dockers to make the top 8 with such a tough run home, and Longmuir could have questions asked of him.
“They could do a lot right and not get there; the proof will be in the pudding.”
“It’s real because if Freo don’t stand up, there should and will be questions asked”
Fremantle play at home this week as they take on fifth-placed Hawthorn at Optus Stadium in a must-win game.