Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has openly stated that his team intentionally adopted a “vanilla” playing style during their 43-point defeat to the Indigenous All Stars at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The Dockers hosted a team comprised of top Indigenous talent from all 18 clubs, delivering an impressive performance.
Highlights of the match included a standout display from Polly Farmer Medal winner and Roos captain Jy Simpkin, who recorded 30 disposals and a goal, while Bobby Hill netted four goals and Jason Horne-Francis contributed three.
Longmuir, who saw his Dockers finish just shy of the finals in 10th position last season, conceded that the team’s showing was far from reflective of what they aspire to in the upcoming 2025 season.
“Our game was fairly plain,” Longmuir remarked during the post-match interview.
Justin Longmuir, head coach of the Dockers speaks following the match against the All Stars. Getty
“It’s an interesting situation, as all the other teams will be able to review the footage from behind the goals. Therefore, we opted for a more conventional approach.
“Our primary objective was to focus on our own game, particularly as we faced some unpredictability regarding how the All Stars would line up and their playing style, as well as the challenges of lacking structure and opportunities to scout our opponents.”
Longmuir indicated that the attention will now shift towards their match simulations, allowing them to work on their game plan away from prying eyes.
“At this stage of pre-season, it’s vital for us to get the fundamentals right without revealing the specifics we’ve been developing,” he explained.
“In our match simulations, where it’s 18 on 18, we ensure that there’s no external access to the footage, enabling us to experiment with various strategies without showing our hand.”
Longmuir acknowledged that the All Stars appeared in superior physical condition than his team.
“This was the first occasion we had our stronger lineup together during pre-season; it felt a bit premature compared to when we generally face another team,” Longmuir said.
Jy Simpkin representing the Indigenous All Stars in action. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We didn’t manage the space on the field as effectively as we would have preferred.
“Going up against a side as skilled, dynamic, and quick as the All Stars, we were vulnerable when we failed at the contested ball.
“Additionally, we missed our tackles.”
The Dockers won’t commence their 2025 season for another month, scheduled to face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, 15 March.
“The match against the All Stars was always going to serve as a benchmark for assessing where we stand with our game,” Longmuir remarked.
“Throughout the pre-season, we’ve been conducting internal matches and evenly dividing our squads to create balanced teams.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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