Fremantle Dockers training ahead of their Geelong semi-final began in upbeat fashion as the players returned to work following their disappointing qualifying-final defeat by Hawthorn.
The Dockers were beaten 72-40 at Optus Stadium on Thursday, missing out on a home preliminary final after Hawthorn established control early. Their finals campaign is now on the line against Geelong.
Despite the setback, Fremantle’s players appeared relaxed during their first session since the loss, with smiles and animated conversations suggesting the group had quickly turned its attention to the challenge ahead.
Coach Justin Longmuir said after the Hawthorn match that he had “full faith” in his side’s ability to recover and return to its best football.
Fremantle will host Geelong at Optus Stadium on Friday, September 11, with the semi-final scheduled to begin at 6.10pm local time. Victory would send the Dockers into a preliminary final, while defeat would end the season.
The Cats earned their place in the last-eight clash by overcoming Carlton in the elimination final. Fremantle won the teams’ most recent meeting, prevailing by nine points in round 15 after trailing at half-time.
Luke Jackson was influential in that contest, collecting 28 disposals, three goals, nine tackles and 25 hit-outs. Fremantle will now hope the ruckman and the rest of the team can reproduce that level of performance when the stakes are considerably higher.
