FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey says over possession caused by poor decision making was a key factor in his side’s 17 point NAB Cup quarter final loss to Adelaide.

The Dockers had more possession than Adelaide in the wind-affected match at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, but over-use of handball – the Dockers racked up 187 disposals by hand compared to just 173 kicks – killed their chances.

“We over possessed the ball by hand and in the areas of the ground in which we did that they punished us and had shots on goal from it,” Harvey said after the match.

“I’d say nearly half their score came as a direct result of our turnovers.”

And Harvey delivered a blunt message to his troops, suggesting that while putting on pressure was not a problem for his team, handling it was.

“Our guys have got to show better poise when the pressure is on. Our skill level’s been more than satisfactory over the last six weeks at training. It’s more decision-making than skill I think. That’s what I have to address.”

Harvey said the over handballing wasn’t planned. It was partly caused by the wind, but could mostly be credited to Adelaide’s positioning.

“Their positioning up the field was causing indecision with our guys when they were coming off half-back,” Harvey said.

“We just didn’t move the ball quick enough to stop their positioning and ‘owning’ of the ground. We got ourselves into a knot; and we’ve got to undo it quickly if we’re going to be a good side.”

Harvey said it would be useful for the Dockers to cut back from the 26 players allowed in the NAB Cup in next week’s NAB Challenge match against North Melbourne.

“We get the opportunity now to go and structure up better,” Harvey said. “Because of the rotations with eight on the bench, it’s very hard to get into a routine with constant half-forwards.”

Harvey said he was pleased with the way his side ran the match out, kicking the last four goals of the game after falling 42 points behind in the last quarter.

“That’s great pride,” Harvey said. “That we had the ability to do that playing against a side that hadn’t played for two weeks - from a fitness aspect, that was pleasing.”

Harvey said despite the loss he “got a lot of positives out of today”.

“There’s always a few things you need to address, and we’ll do that through the course of the week. But I’m more than happy with the playing group and how they’re evolving.”