COACH Mark Neeld says Fremantle’s ball movement in the final quarter was the major reason for Melbourne’s 34-point loss at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Neeld said his team had done most things correctly until the final term, when Fremantle booted 7.3 to 0.4.
“We felt we did a lot right for probably three quarters, but to win a game of AFL footy, you’ve got to get everything right for four quarters - and we just couldn’t do that,” he said.
“That’s disappointing and frustrating and we’re aware of that, but it’s a good education for everyone involved.
“You’ve got to see out every contest.”
Neeld said Melbourne was unable to defend Fremantle’s ball movement in the final stanza.
“We were in the game because of the things that we’d done. We probably looked our most dangerous for the year with some of our ball movement, and we looked liked we could put a score on the board,” he said.
“We know the way that Freo play - a really strong defence. We started with six goals in the first quarter.
“They were pretty slick and they make you defend the way they move the footy. We couldn’t quite seal the deal in the last quarter.”
Neeld said he made sure the Melbourne players took the feeling from the supporters into the main break, when the game was there to be won.
“We came off at half time and we were a goal in front, and you just feel the supporters’ reaction to that,” he said.
“As great as it is and they’re right into the game and they’re emotional … we’d really like that at the end of the fourth quarter.
“That’s fair enough, I reckon.”
Neeld acknowledged his side was still developing, but he conceded he was disappointed when winning opportunities were presented.
“We’re improving - there’s no doubt about that. But we’re human too. As a group, we just need to win a couple,” he said.
“I’m realistic enough to know that right now, I’m really a development coach - and I get that.
“When you’re in the heat of the battle and you’re coaching calmly … you think, we could’ve topped off today’s development coaching with a positive result and we didn’t. And that can be, at times, frustrating.”
Despite the loss of ruckman Mark Jamar with a calf injury early in the match, Neeld found a positive in the form of ruckman/forward Stef Martin.
“We were pleased with Stefan Martin’s output during the game, so that was fine,” he said.
Neeld said his team had done most things correctly until the final term, when Fremantle booted 7.3 to 0.4.
“We felt we did a lot right for probably three quarters, but to win a game of AFL footy, you’ve got to get everything right for four quarters - and we just couldn’t do that,” he said.
“That’s disappointing and frustrating and we’re aware of that, but it’s a good education for everyone involved.
“You’ve got to see out every contest.”
Neeld said Melbourne was unable to defend Fremantle’s ball movement in the final stanza.
“We were in the game because of the things that we’d done. We probably looked our most dangerous for the year with some of our ball movement, and we looked liked we could put a score on the board,” he said.
“We know the way that Freo play - a really strong defence. We started with six goals in the first quarter.
“They were pretty slick and they make you defend the way they move the footy. We couldn’t quite seal the deal in the last quarter.”
Neeld said he made sure the Melbourne players took the feeling from the supporters into the main break, when the game was there to be won.
“We came off at half time and we were a goal in front, and you just feel the supporters’ reaction to that,” he said.
“As great as it is and they’re right into the game and they’re emotional … we’d really like that at the end of the fourth quarter.
“That’s fair enough, I reckon.”
Neeld acknowledged his side was still developing, but he conceded he was disappointed when winning opportunities were presented.
“We’re improving - there’s no doubt about that. But we’re human too. As a group, we just need to win a couple,” he said.
“I’m realistic enough to know that right now, I’m really a development coach - and I get that.
“When you’re in the heat of the battle and you’re coaching calmly … you think, we could’ve topped off today’s development coaching with a positive result and we didn’t. And that can be, at times, frustrating.”
Despite the loss of ruckman Mark Jamar with a calf injury early in the match, Neeld found a positive in the form of ruckman/forward Stef Martin.
“We were pleased with Stefan Martin’s output during the game, so that was fine,” he said.
