Lions learn from MCG’s grief, as Freo mulls on what could have been.
Chris Fagan claims that working on tight scenarios helped his team beat Fremantle.
THE EDUCATION Brisbane’s efforts to improve its handling of tight finishes since its round 18 defeat to Melbourne reaped rewards in a three-point win over Fremantle on Sunday, according to coach Chris Fagan.
The Lions went into hiding against the Dees a month ago, allowing their late advantage to slip, but they held their nerve at Optus Stadium on Sunday to record an important road win that keeps them in the top-two race.
Fagan said the side had learned from its close finishes and applied those lessons against the Dockers to maintain their late lead, which had been trimmed to two points by a magnificent Michael Frederick goal with one minute remaining.
LIONS vs. DOCKERS Complete match coverage and statistics
“We’ve had a few closies lately – we had a one-point game with Melbourne, and the Geelong game got a little bit tight a few weeks ago – so I was really just pleased with the way that with a minute-and-a-half to go we responded with the strategic stuff that we worked on,” he said.
“That’s all we focused on, and it worked out pretty well, but [Frederick] scored a really good goal.” In that last minute and a half, we kept our cool.”
Lachie Neale, the Demons’ star midfielder, told Fox Footy that relief was the main emotion on the final siren after letting comparable games slip, referring to the Demons’ loss at the MCG.
“We learned a lot from that game in Melbourne a few weeks ago.” I thought we killed the game quite well in the closing minute and a half. There will be some lessons learned, but overall, we’re pleased,” the midfielder stated.
Neale emerged from some heavy attention at stoppages to play a crucial role late in Sunday’s game, winning nine disposals and four clearances in the final quarter after an up-and-down battle with Docker Hayden Young.
Fagan said handling a run-with role was nothing out of the ordinary for the 30-year-old former Docker, who had been held to a season-low 17 disposals by Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller in round 20.
“It was good for him, but keep in mind that Lachie Neale is tagged most weeks.” “We only pay attention when the tagger does a good job, and we make a big deal out of it,” Fagan explained.
“When Lachie gets tagged and plays a great game, we never give him a pat on the back.”
“That’s not a criticism of you guys (media), because it’s big news when Lachie Neale doesn’t get many touches, but to be honest, I think Lachie gets tagged in different ways every other week.”
“The fact that he was able to hang in there and tough it out in the last quarter and produce what he did was great.”
A disappointed Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said his team had created enough opportunities to win the game, but the Lions’ ability to finish their work at crucial stages proved the difference.
The loss ends any chance of Fremantle playing finals after an inconsistent season that has seen them beat Melbourne at the MCG, reigning premier Geelong twice, and fall just three points shy of their top-four opponents on Sunday.
Longmuir said the team’s approach to the final three rounds would not change and there was plenty left for everyone at the club to get out of the end of the season.
“Every game of AFL is important, and we’ll treat it like it’s the most important game,” he stated.
“This week, expect every player to prepare as if it’s their most important game, just as they did for today and Geelong.”
“I’d be really disappointed if the players thought there’s nothing to play for and lacked motivation or purpose.”
Nonetheless, the coach was disappointed that the team’s best form this year had faded.
“As a coach you’re striving to deliver a really consistent brand of footy every week. So yeah, that’s disappointing,” he said.
“We’ve just got to make sure we find the line and we get the most we can out of these last three games and we review the season on where we need to improve and make sure we’re really pointed with the areas we need to get better at.
“Because we’re doing a bit right. Clearly earlier in the year and at times we haven’t been as consistent as we want, so strike that balance. But yeah, it’s frustrating.”
