ROSS Lyon denies Fremantle's raft of damaging turnovers caused the Dockers' loss to Geelong on Sunday, with the coach instead blaming himself for not preparing his side well enough.
The Dockers committed some shocking skill errors in their 42-point defeat, conceding 7.2 to 2.2 from turnovers in the opening half alone.
In his comeback game, defender Michael Johnson was one of the worst offenders, twice coughing up goals from poor kicks – including one in the second term after his kick-in didn't clear Tom Hawkins on the mark.
The veteran backman wasn't alone, but on a frustrating night the coach believed the Dockers could have covered for their skill errors.
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match press conference
"(Turnovers) happened early and they are not ideal, but that wasn't the issue," Lyon said.
Instead, Lyon put his hand up for not preparing the Dockers to handle Geelong's pressure and transition.
"I'm probably a little disappointed in myself. I could have prepared them for a couple of Geelong mechanisms they do well," he said.
"They got back on us really well, which you expect AFL sides to do, but you can certainly put yourself in a better position to deal with it.
"And then I thought on transition, they were out. So, we weren't handling them getting back on us and we weren't handling when they got it.
"That's disappointing and can be a bit of work rate but a fair bit of positioning. I will take full responsibility for that.
"I know, within that performance, I see a fair bit of potential in us and a fair bit of hope.
"I know we're better than that."
Five talking points: Fremantle v Geelong
The Dockers are in the early stages of a four-year rebuild after last year's disastrous four-win season but Lyon is confident his side will still be capable of pushing for finals this year.
However, Freo will need more from its supporting cast, with stars Aaron Sandilands (48 hit-outs) and Nat Fyfe (28 disposals, one goal) unable to keep the Dockers in the game against the Cats despite strong displays.
"The midfield – I think we can all get better, but I think everyone is saying that," Lyon said.
"There's a bit of life there. I expect them (Geelong) to be at the pointy end, I would think.
"The first one (game) I would've expected us to perform better so we walk away disappointed."
In a high-scoring opening round, the Dockers' scoring issues continued with only 10 goals from 51 inside 50s.
Goalkicking recruit Cam McCarthy struggled to get into the contest – apart from a miraculous late snap – while Lyon defended Shane Kersten after a fumbly performance against his old club.
"You can focus on 'that didn't work, that didn't work' but I thought he had plenty of half-opportunities that he turned into halves but if he could turn them into full, we are preaching different," he said.
"He knows he needs to be cleaner with the ball and take those opportunities and I think he could've been a good player tonight."
Matt Taberner could be pushing for selection next week against Port Adelaide after bagging five goals for Peel Thunder on Saturday, while youngster Harley Balic continued to push for a debut with 33 touches and a goal.
