Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir criticised his players for failing to execute the basics after they slipped to defeat against St Kilda at Optus Stadium.
The Dockers are priced at 40/1 to win the 2022 NRL grand final but after beating Adelaide last week they suffered a disappointing loss to the Saints on home soil.
Star duo missing
Fremantle had to do without the influential David Mundy and Nat Fyfe and they were badly missed as St Kilda dominated the midfield during the 65-55 win.
Speaking to reporters after the game Longmuir could not hide his disappointment at the performance and admit they were severely lacking in several areas.
Related Fremantle news
Fyfe facing spell out with back issue
Fyfe gives positive shoulder update
Dockers starlet calls it quits
“It was one of the more disappointing games I’ve been involved in to be honest,” Longmuir said. “Our execution was horrific. Our ball handling and skills – we couldn’t execute the basics of the game. When you can’t do that it makes it hard to execute other parts of your game.
“There were moments of the game last week where we didn’t execute the basics of the game and it was the same this week for really the first three quarters. In the last quarter we got a lot right but it was too late.”
Darcy injury worry
Meanwhile Fremantle are sweating on the fitness of ruckman Sean Darcy after he picked up an ankle injury during the defeat.
Darcy is now a big doubt for the derby clash against the West Coast Eagles.
