FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon believes his team should have beaten the plucky Western Bulldogs more comfortably, but says it was the kind of challenge the Dockers must keep overcoming if they are to be a premiership contender.
The Dockers remain undefeated after seven rounds, two games clear of four teams, after holding off the Bulldogs by 13 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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"It's really important (to win close games), because if you're always winning comfortably you're not in those positions," Lyon said post-match.
"I read an article (where) I think it might have been Hawthorn spoke about it, because they hadn't been challenged so much. When the Swans beat them in (the 2012) Grand Final they hadn't been in many close finishes, so they weren't used to doing what they needed to do.
"I think that's a salient point, not that we're anywhere near that, obviously. But it's good to be in (close games) and come through. Either way, win or lose, you learn some lessons out of them."
Lyon said talk about where his side might finish at the end of the season is premature, preferring instead to focus on next week's big home clash against North Melbourne.
"I just find if you stay in the moment and prepare and practice in the manner that you should, results take care of themselves," he said.
"Everyone would love to finish top two, everyone would love to finish top four. You've got to continue to write your own story.
"While you're fit and healthy and in form you've got to bank the four points. As night follows day, you're going to get injuries, hit some teams in really good form, you're going to have some challenges where you're not going to get across the line. So you've got to keep taking your chances."
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference
The Dockers kicked the opening five goals and led by as much as 34 points in the second quarter before the Bulldogs clawed back to level late in the final term of a seesawing encounter.
Lyon was disappointed his side didn't capitalise on its inside-50 dominance (63-46) and then further let itself down by allowing the Dogs to get "out the back at times".
He said his side also blazed away into attack too often in the final term.
"At three-quarter time we spoke about (passing) it in … I thought we bombed it in and they just scrapped it and we got forward of the ball and it just allowed them easy outlets out the back," he said.
"A couple of defenders thought they were full-forwards and ended up in our goalsquare. We've already spoken about that. I don't think they'll do that in a hurry again.
"You're not always going to be at your very, very best. I thought our leadership and our will to win, when we were under more pressure than we probably should have been, was really strong."
Lyon also made mention of the lopsided free kick count, which favoured the Dogs 25-11.
"There was a bit of rub-of-the-green that I thought could've gone our way that didn't for a fair portion of the day, but sometimes that happens," he said.
"I thought (Michael) Walters almost got decapitated early. I would've liked that to be (looked at), not as in a report but a free kick would've been handy."
The Dockers have a six-day break before facing North Melbourne and Lyon said he was hopeful of regaining veteran key defender Luke McPharlin, who has missed the past two matches with a calf complaint.
