Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir praises Sean Darcy’s ‘aggressive’ performance in western derby win

Too big, too strong and for too long.

Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy’s unanimous best-on-ground performance in Saturday night’s western derby was based not only on his dominance but his persistence, according to coach Justin Longmuir.

Darcy amassed a derby record 56 hit-outs, including a whopping 20 hit-outs to advantage, to pilot a dominant Dockers midfield performance in the 24-point win at Optus Stadium.

Darcy spent 20 more minutes on the field and attended 17 more ruck contests than main opponent Nic Naitanui, allowing him to dominate West Coast second-stringer Hugh Dixon as well as the triple All-Australian.

“I thought he was huge,” Longmuir said.

“He plays larger game time than Nic, so we knew we would get a look with Sean and their second ruck which was a real benefit for us.

“And I thought he just gave us a bit of predictability around clearance all night and really allowed our mids to get on the move and get proactive.

“I think he’s starting to get a bit of his marking back. He looks really confident in aerial contests again and backing himself and getting around the ground well. He just looks a bit more aggressive the last few weeks, which when he plays his best footy is aggressive.”

In 41 ruck contests between Darcy and Naitanui, the big Docker won the hit-outs 27-8 and had seven hit-outs to advantage to Naitanui’s four. Fremantle also won the clearances 20-13 when the two no.1 ruckmen were directly opposed.

The win came in slippery conditions and amid intermittent rain, giving the Dockers a wet-weather confidence boost after poor performances in the wet against Gold Coast, Collingwood and Melbourne this season.

They stood up in the face of excellent pressure from the undermanned Eagles, who laid 51 tackles to 30 in the first half despite having 31 less disposals.

“I think a real honest, competitive game was what we wanted and needed,” Longmuir said.

“We expected that. Especially when the conditions came, we knew it was going to be a real slugfest I suppose. It was nice to get over the line.

“I thought we were good in the contest most of the night. Even though the tackle numbers were heavily towards their way, I thought our pressure (was good) and we stuck at it really well.

“I thought we were a little bit more direct in the conditions than what we have been and we didn’t try and chip it around and go lateral and be safe in the conditions. So I think we took a step forward with dealing with wet weather.”

Having led by only four points at half-time, the Dockers dominated the third quarter only to leave the door slightly ajar at the final change after kicking 2.8 to 1.1 for the term.

“I thought our contest was pretty solid all night and when we got the game played in our front half we were able to lock it there,” Longmuir said.

“That third quarter is the sort of footy we want to play. I suppose field position separated it in the end.”

Longmuir conceded leading goal kicker Rory Lobb would have to carry his shoulder injury for the rest of the season, but was upbeat about his ability to play with pain and continue to perform and expected him to take on his former side Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

Lobb, who went goalless from seven disposals, was subbed out late in the game and had ice on his troublesome right shoulder.

The 29-year-old battled on after cradling his arm in significant pain following a third-quarter blow.

“He’s pretty good at (playing through pain) to be honest,” he said.

“He doesn’t let on when he brings injuries into games and he pushes through it really well. I’m proud of his efforts after he got injured, to halve some contests and remain in the game to keep working his way through it.

“He’s a fast healer. So fingers crossed he gets up.”