SATURDAY brought a sixth-straight loss for Fremantle, anchoring them to the bottom of the AFL ladder, but coach Ross Lyon is adamant the club is making progress without its star players.

The Dockers fought hard and were right in the contest until late against Adelaide, but inaccuracy in front of goal robbed them of the chance of an upset win.

They booted 1.8 in the second term and finished with 8.16, while the Crows managed a more respectable 14.13 in their 33-point win.

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Lyon said he was pleased with his midfield’s effort and in particular that of Michael Walters, whose 29-possession, three-goal performance he described as “special”.

Along with a terrific display from defender Alex Pearce, Lyon insisted the future at Fremantle was encouraging. 

“I’m really enthusiastic about improving our football and growing young players,” Lyon said.

“Every day I wake up I see opportunity - that’s what I see.

“I see possibility and everything starts with possibility; see where you want to be and then get into action and repeat the action until you achieve.

“How long that takes I don’t know, but I know that model works.”

WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match press conference

Lyon praised his side’s work on Saturday but lamented its goal kicking as well as a third-term lapse.

The Crows kicked four majors to one in the third to open up a match-winning lead.

Despite the margin, both sides managed 52 inside 50s and Fremantle won clearances 35-30.

“The scoreboard didn’t reflect, really, how well we were going in the game to be truthful,” Lyon said.

“But then we lost some (composure) in the third quarter, didn’t use the ball well…(Adelaide) counter punch you pretty quickly.

“At the end of the day we had equal (inside 50) entries, equal entries from centre-back, but they were slicker with the ball.”

The Dockers' shocking start to the year could get even worse next weekend when they host the in-form Greater Western Sydney next Saturday night.