Freo didn’t win it – we lost it, says Bulldog
A frustrated James Harmes has laid responsibility for the Bulldogs’ defeat to Fremantle squarely at his side’s feet, stating they lost the game rather than the Dockers winning it.
Fremantle fans let out a roar of relief at Optus Stadium on Sunday as Fremantle finally clinched a close win, balancing their season ledger at 2-2 with a hard-fought 16-point victory.
But Harmes lamented the Dogs’ inability to capitalise on their centre clearance advantage that led to them going inside 50 63 times, 19 more times than the Dockers, for just 12 goals – an efficiency of 36.5 per cent.
“It’s frustrating. We dominated a lot of the stats, but we probably felt our execution wasn’t at the level it needed to be,” he told The West Australian post-match.
“I felt like we probably lost the game – they didn’t win it – with some of our skill errors.
“I think we were allowing them out the back a little bit too much, so, probably positioning from our midfield and then the defense probably needs to be a bit better.
“Going forward, we struggled to find the mark at the 70-metre mark, and then deeper, we’re probably bombing it into the 50-60-metre mark, and they were able to rebound.”
While Fremantle were beaten in most of the statistical markers, there was no denying their speed and danger on the counterattack, the likes of Shai Bolton, Michael Frederick, Murphy Reid and Isaiah Dudley causing Bulldog’s defenders headaches slipping out the back.
“With (the Dockers), they’ve got so many quick, talented players like Bolton who get out the back really well, and the young fella Reid did it a few times as well,” Harmes said.
“It’s just so hard to defend because they get you up so high, and then they turn you around. We’ll review that and take some learnings.
“Serong’s also a star. He’s always going to be a good player. Just the way he’s able to follow up and get the bobble-ball out of congestion is second to none.
“Big Lukey Jackson, you forget how good he is. Obviously, I played in a premiership with him, and he’s a ripping fella. Went down with a hammy today, but I felt like when he went down, we were able to get on top, so he had a big impact.”
The Bulldogs also copped plenty of heat from the fans as they won the free kick count 27 to 15, while former Docker turned Dogs defender Rory Lobb did his best to rev up the crowd with a unique lobster haircut.
But Harmes said he enjoyed embracing the parochial Perth crowd.
“It’s different. When I kicked that goal, I thought I missed it because there was not one bit of sound,” he laughed.
“I’ve played here a few times over my journey and I love coming over here. It’s a nice ground to play at, and the fans aren’t too bad; it’s all in the spirit of the game.”