The Dees - who did not attack the ball with the same ferocity that they have become associated with - were unable to snare a vital away win which would have put them in second spot on the AFL ladder.
The Demons wayward kicking and the inability of forward stars such as David Neitz and Russell Robertson - who combined for only 15 kicks, nine marks and two goals (both courtesy of Robertson) - to gain a stranglehold on the game were major factors on the 15.6 (96) to 9.13 (67) defeat.
It was only Melbourne's second loss in its past 13 games - the other also occurring at Subiaco, against West Coast in round nine by 22 points - and Daniher said it just wasn't his side's day in the Perth sun.
"(Fremantle) kicked 15.6 … only 21 shots. We were 4.10 or 4.12 (in the third term) and we just weren't able to take our opportunities and on the road you (have to).
"Cameron Bruce just needed to slot that one from 30m but he kicked it into the man on the mark. It just wasn't happening for us," Daniher said.
The Bruce error, which occurred at the 15-minute mark of the third quarter when the Demons were down by around five goals, summed up Melbourne's afternoon.
"You've got to be able to put scoreboard pressure on," Daniher said after his side could only manage 1.5 for the third term.
According to the coach, the Dees were never able to trouble the Dockers with a sustained effort in attack.
"It (wasn't) as though we were miles off, but at no stage we were able to get any momentum and I think hitting the scoreboard gives you momentum and does put a bit of doubt in the opposition, but at no stage were we able to just put it through the goals," he said.
"I thought (Fremantle) had the momentum swings today (while) we weren't able to take our chances to give us something on the road. You need that.
"We finished the game reasonable, but when it mattered most in the second and third quarters, they were able to kick the ball straight and we weren't."
