A BITTERLY disappointed Ross Lyon says he is "embarrassed" about how Fremantle performed against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday with a potential finals place on the line.
Lyon's Dockers suffered a 47-point hiding at Marvel Stadium, in a game that was effectively decided at half-time, and they've now lost five of their last six matches after sitting sixth with a 7-5 record.
They could have moved into a share of eighth place with a win over the Bulldogs, but instead slumped to 12th and any hope of qualifying for September action looks lost.
Tim English flies above Sean Darcy in a ruck contest. Picture: AFL Photos
After smashing Sydney in contested possession and clearance a week ago, Fremantle lost both categories against the Bulldogs – most significantly in a 139-117 contested possession belting.
Questioned on whether the Dockers should have played 200cm-plus trio Aaron Sandilands, Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb in the same side, Lyon offered only a slight concession.
"I think that's a simplification. If we had won the ball and been able to spread the ball, I don't think we'd be talking about it," Lyon said.
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"I think there's an element of that, but that's not the crux of it. We just thought in the contest, groundball – I think we were minus-30 at half-time, minus-15 at quarter-time.
"On the spread, I think they outnumbered and they spread the ball. We're really disappointed. We came here expecting a better performance. We know they're a good running, spreading team.
"We wanted to put some time into (Jack) Macrae, (Marcus) Bontempelli, (Jason) Johannisen and (Caleb) Daniel early, and we didn't do that. After quarter-time we did, but 50 points?"
WATCH Ross Lyon's full post-match press conference
Lyon also defended his use of superstar skipper Nat Fyfe as a forward in the opening quarter, when the Bulldogs kicked eight goals to set up their victory.
Fyfe was returning from a seriously infected elbow that saw him spend days in hospital but still finished with 33 disposals (15 contested), seven clearances and five inside 50s.
"I could be facetious and say everyone's been screaming for (Fyfe to play up forward) all year, but I won't be facetious, because it's not the time for that," Lyon said.
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"He was a really sick boy. He was keen but the specialist, Clay Golledge, said it would be a real concern.
"We try and share the load the others had stood up in there – I think we all agree with that.
"I think Sandilands, (David) Mundy, (Michael) Walters and (Reece) Conca are very experienced, and (Ed) Langdon and (Bradley) Hill, so we expect them to be able to get supply.
"If we clear it out of the middle and he kicks three, we're all saying it's a brilliant move, so you've got to give opportunity. That's not why we won or lost the game."
Among Lyon's other concerns was his players' tendency to target Walters with shallow inside-50 entries, which resulted in the Dogs repeatedly launching effective counter-attacks.
He found positives in the individual performances of blue-chip draft picks Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra but conceded the "premiership"-calibre Bulldogs midfield was too good.
"We've been a lot better than that all year. I thought we had a really competitive team. I'm really disappointed," Lyon said.
"Finals up for grabs, (and if) you win that game, you're equal-eighth, bar percentage, so look, both teams in the same position, they got it done, I thought they were impressive, and we knew what they were capable of.
"Earlier in the year we were playing very good football and we were in a very good position, but you only get that by getting your process and performance right.
"There's a lot of mediocrity around, and we sit in that. All the other teams that had opportunities didn't take them. I think there'd be a number of coaches as disappointed as I am."
Lyon said it was "really important" for Fremantle to win some games before the year ended, especially after such a positive beginning.
"It's a winning business and we like to win. Last week felt good, and I thought we fought on really strongly," he said.
"We've typically been reasonable here (at Marvel Stadium). We'd love to win, for our members and ourselves, but talking about it doesn't get it done.
"You've got to pay the price to win and every week it's the same.
"(You need) incredible effort and system and working together and being hard, being mentally tough and physically hard from start to finish – and today we weren't that."
