Complacency off the menu as Dockers front up to Saints
Justin Chadwick |
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is urging his players to avoid getting a “punch in the face” when they confront St Kilda in Friday night’s AFL clash at Marvel Stadium.
The Saints (3-4) are a team under pressure following three losses on the trot, with a 28-point defeat to GWS followed by heavy thumpings from the Bulldogs (71 points) and Brisbane (45 points).
Fremantle improved to 4-3 following last week’s 18-point win over Adelaide.
But they only have to look back a fortnight to know that taking a team lightly can have dire consequences.
Fremantle were hot favourites to get the job done against a Melbourne outfit who were 0-5 and in crisis mode.
Instead, Kysaiah Pickett and Max Gawn put on a clinic to lead the Demons to a 10-point victory.
Fremantle players conceded there was a sense of complacency heading into that game, and Longmuir said there was now a trend of teams losing when they underestimate their opponents.
“It’s just making sure you’re clear on what the best looks like from the opposition and what the challenges are going to be in that game,” Longmuir said.
“And (be aware of) the threats and preparing for them and making sure you don’t get a punch in the face.
“The competition is so tight, you can throw a blanket over a lot of different teams.
“You only have to be off a couple of per cent – and if the opposition’s on a couple more per cent – there’s a big difference in the game.
“You look back two weeks at St Kilda and Western Bulldogs – there’s no way those teams are that far apart.
“But if one team’s on, one team’s off, you get that result.”
Fremantle have been boosted by the return of star big man Luke Jackson, who will play predominantly in attack but will also help out Sean Darcy in the ruck.
Rising star Mattaes Phillipou will play his first game of the season for Saints after recovering from a fractured femur, while Hugh Boxshall has been named for his AFL debut.
Mason Wood (concussion) and Zak Jones (managed) go out for the Saints.
AAP
