A New Milestone for Fremantle
A new club record and a streak of 10 consecutive wins are impressive achievements, but for Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, the ultimate goal remains the same — an AFL flag. The Dockers made history on Friday night by overcoming a one-point deficit in the final quarter to secure a 30-point victory over St Kilda. The final score was 16.8 (104) to 11.8 (74), marking the first time the current Fremantle squad has surpassed the previous records set by their 2015 and 2006 teams, which managed nine straight wins.
This achievement places Fremantle in an elite group, but for Longmuir, it’s all about the bigger picture — securing a premiership. He emphasized that while such milestones are significant, they don’t hold much weight compared to the ultimate objective.
“Realistically, it doesn’t mean anything, does it?” Longmuir said when asked about the club’s new record. “When you boil it down and the pressure is on at the end of the year, 10 in a row doesn’t mean much. What matters is how many games you win at the end of the season and how highly you qualify. We haven’t qualified for finals yet, so really, it doesn’t mean a lot.”
He also pointed out that even recent accomplishments, like beating Essendon at the MCG, were just stepping stones. “Records are made to be broken, and you see it in all sports. But there’s only one thing that really matters in our game — a flag.”
The Road to a Premiership
The closest Fremantle has come to a premiership was in 2013 under coach Ross Lyon, when they lost the grand final to Hawthorn by 15 points due to inaccuracy. However, the current team is widely regarded as the strongest in the club’s history, with a record of 10-1 and a strong chance of competing for this year’s title.
Despite some setbacks, the Dockers remain in a solid position. Star midfielder Caleb Serong is sidelined for at least another week due to a calf injury, but skipper Alex Pearce and midfielder Hayden Young are expected to return against Brisbane. This gives the team a boost as they prepare for their next challenge.
Controversial Call and Seeking Clarity
Longmuir is also seeking clarification from the league after defender Karl Worner was penalized for rushing a behind during the match against St Kilda. Worner had space and time to take a few steps into the defensive goal square before deciding to step over the line when he was cornered by a Saints player.
“I see that happen a lot in the AFL, and it’s usually just a point,” Longmuir said. “We’ll seek clarification because the rule states that if you gather the ball within the goal square and are under pressure, you can walk over the line like that. We’ll go to the umpiring department and adjust our game accordingly if that’s the correct call.”
Preparing for the Next Challenge
Fremantle will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against two-time defending premiers Brisbane at the Gabba. If they can extend their winning streak to 11 games, it would further solidify their position as a serious contender for the premiership.
For Longmuir, the focus remains on the long-term goal. While the current run of wins is a testament to the team’s strength, he knows that true success lies in making a deep finals run and ultimately lifting the AFL flag. With key players returning and a strong squad, the Dockers are well-positioned to make a statement in the coming weeks.
