A Six-Pack Of IPA (Interesting Points, Allegedly): Fremantle Dockers’ damning late-game numbers amid slide

Point 1: The Defining Moment

It’s a crisp autumn evening at Optus Stadium. The Fremantle Dockers are facing their archrivals, the West Coast Eagles, in what should have been a routine win. With the game clock ticking down and the scoreline tight, Fremantle was on the verge of finally breaking their recent run of poor form. But then, as has been the case too many times this season, something faltered. A turnover, a missed tackle, and just like that, West Coast was streaking away with the game.

As the final siren blared, signaling another heart-wrenching defeat for Fremantle, a collective groan echoed from the Dockers’ faithful in the stands. Yet, the true story wasn’t the defeat itself—it was the damning numbers that had once again painted a picture of a team unable to finish strong when it mattered most.

Point 2: The Numbers Don’t Lie

It’s a harsh reality: Fremantle has struggled in the final stretch of matches all season. Their late-game numbers tell a grim story. Over the last six games, they have lost four of them in the final 10 minutes. The team’s fourth-quarter scoring average is well below the league’s standard, and their defensive structures seem to crumble in the dying moments. With every week that passes, the Dockers’ inability to finish strong becomes more apparent.

These numbers don’t just represent missed opportunities. They represent a trend that has left the team searching for answers. Coach Justin Longmuir has repeatedly mentioned “staying composed in the final minutes” in press conferences, but the numbers paint a different picture—one of a team that is emotionally and physically drained by the time the final siren sounds.

Point 3: The Missing Link—Leadership in the Final Stretch

If Fremantle had one glaring weakness in these late-game situations, it was leadership. While there’s no shortage of talent on the field, the Dockers have struggled to find that player who can lift the team when the going gets tough. With the likes of Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy, and Michael Walters on the field, one would expect more composure in the tense final moments. But it’s as though the big-game leaders have either been unavailable or unable to take control of the game.

When the pressure mounts, the Dockers seem to crumble under the weight of their own expectations. It’s not just about talent; it’s about having the poise and mental fortitude to steer the ship through rough waters. Unfortunately, Fremantle has found themselves adrift far too often as the final quarter approaches.

Point 4: The Injuries—A Factor, But Not the Excuse

It would be easy to point to injuries as the cause of Fremantle’s struggles, and yes, the team has certainly had its share of misfortune on that front. Key players have been sidelined, and it’s hard for any team to maintain their performance when their stars are unavailable.

But the troubling part for Fremantle is that their slide began before the injury bug really hit. While injuries haven’t helped, they’ve highlighted a more significant issue within the team—depth. Fremantle’s bench strength has been tested time and time again, and with each late-game collapse, the Dockers have been exposed for their lack of reliable backups to take the pressure off the key players in the dying stages of matches.

Point 5: Mental Toughness—The Key to Turning It Around

It’s clear now: Fremantle’s late-game issues are not merely physical. It’s mental toughness that has been lacking. The Dockers have the ability, they have the skills, but what they don’t have is the belief that they can finish off a game when it counts.

In games where they’ve had the upper hand heading into the final quarter, they’ve let pressure creep in and allowed their opponents to gain momentum. It’s a psychological battle as much as it is a physical one—and right now, Fremantle isn’t winning it. They need to cultivate the mindset that no game is ever truly over until the siren sounds.

Point 6: What’s Next for the Dockers?

With the 2025 AFL season winding down, Fremantle faces a critical period. They have the talent to be contenders, but they also have these significant flaws to address. The next few weeks will be telling. Will Fremantle make the adjustments needed to finish strong, or will their late-game demons continue to haunt them?

The fans are anxious. The players are frustrated. But one thing is certain: The Fremantle Dockers are at a crossroads. They can either look inward and use their late-game failures as fuel to drive them forward, or they can allow these “Interesting Points, Allegedly” to define their season. Only time will tell if Fremantle can shake the late-game curse that has plagued them for too long.

As the final whistle blows in yet another agonizing defeat, one thing becomes painfully clear: Fremantle’s battle isn’t just against the scoreboard—it’s a mental battle that they need to win if they ever hope to break free from the cycle of late-game collapse.