TonyK
CibbuanoWe took a step backwards, says Harvey
August 18th 2008 03:38
FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey has labelled Sunday's 43-point loss to St Kilda at Subiaco Oval as one of the the club's most disappointing this season.
The Dockers have shown some positive signs in the past month with three wins and a brave four-point loss to Sydney but Harvey felt his players had taken a step backwards against St Kilda.
The Dockers led by 16 points at the 12-minute mark of the second quarter before the Saints took control, slamming on 11 goals to two in the second half.
Harvey said his side failed to pay attention to basic things like manning up.
"(I) just thought at times today, the players weren't demanding on each enough when St Kilda was just kicking the ball in," he said.
"So, hence they had a lot of uncontested marks and they had easy pathways to goal."
"The game's not that difficult from just a basic thing like manning up when they've got the ball (but) we have too many guys sit back and spectate when that happens."
"We just allowed them to do what they wanted to do too easy and whenever we looked like getting them on the counter attack, there was fumbling and lack of composure and understanding between each other."
Harvey said the performance was especially poor considering the club was honouring former skipper Peter Bell, who retired in July.
"Peter spoke from the heart before the game. He didn't want to have a farewell himself, he's one of those guys (who) didn't like the attention of playing a last game."
"So he spoke to the guys about the day itself and what he wanted from them and that didn't happen."
Harvey had nothing but praise for impressive young midfielder Rhys Palmer who racked up a game-high 30 possessions.
"He's a delight to watch and the team should learn a lot off him," Harvey said.
"His performance does the talking."
The Dockers have shown some positive signs in the past month with three wins and a brave four-point loss to Sydney but Harvey felt his players had taken a step backwards against St Kilda.
The Dockers led by 16 points at the 12-minute mark of the second quarter before the Saints took control, slamming on 11 goals to two in the second half.
Harvey said his side failed to pay attention to basic things like manning up.
"(I) just thought at times today, the players weren't demanding on each enough when St Kilda was just kicking the ball in," he said.
"So, hence they had a lot of uncontested marks and they had easy pathways to goal."
"The game's not that difficult from just a basic thing like manning up when they've got the ball (but) we have too many guys sit back and spectate when that happens."
"We just allowed them to do what they wanted to do too easy and whenever we looked like getting them on the counter attack, there was fumbling and lack of composure and understanding between each other."
Harvey said the performance was especially poor considering the club was honouring former skipper Peter Bell, who retired in July.
"Peter spoke from the heart before the game. He didn't want to have a farewell himself, he's one of those guys (who) didn't like the attention of playing a last game."
"So he spoke to the guys about the day itself and what he wanted from them and that didn't happen."
Harvey had nothing but praise for impressive young midfielder Rhys Palmer who racked up a game-high 30 possessions.
"He's a delight to watch and the team should learn a lot off him," Harvey said.
"His performance does the talking."
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