Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir doesn't want to come across as a Debbie Downer, but he reckons Saturday's 51-point trouncing of Richmond only deserves a seven-out-of-10 score.
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Josh Treacy kicked a career-high five goals and Andrew Brayshaw starred in the midfield with 35 disposals, six clearances and a goal as Fremantle cruised to the 16.9 (105) to 7.12 (54) win at Optus Stadium.
Four goals to Richmond star Shai Bolton closed the margin to 18 points early in the third quarter before Fremantle flexed their muscles to run away with victory.
But with expectations over Fremantle now sky high, especially following the one-point win over ladder leaders Sydney a week earlier, Longmuir felt his team's display against Richmond was merely solid, rather than spectacular.
"We had some good moments and some things that would be a little bit frustrating," Longmuir said.
"I thought we played to probably a seven out of 10.
"The second quarter was frustrating. I thought we were unpredictable. Especially our intent to pressure dropped off. But we stuck at it.
"I think our best tonight was very good. And then some of the mistakes we made and the unpredictability - it just took a little bit of gloss off it for the way we want to play.
"To win by (51) points you don't want to be Debbie Downer, but I just think we've got so much improvement left in us."
Fremantle's top-four push will receive a tricky test next Saturday when they take on Hawthorn in Launceston.
Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy will miss after being subbed out against Richmond with concussion, and defender Josh Draper is in doubt with a corked leg.
Longmuir was happy with the return of backman Brennan Cox, who was solid against Richmond in his first AFL match since tearing his hamstring in round one.
"He's got to build with his fitness and play larger game time, but I thought he looked pretty sharp," Longmuir said.
"There's probably a couple of contests where he could have imposed himself in a different way and (he) looked a bit rusty. But largely I thought his return was pretty sharp.
"He's only going to build off it but I thought he set a pretty good bar for himself."
Longmuir said skipper Alex Pearce (fractured forearm) wasn't a chance to return early to face Hawthorn.
Australian Associated Press
