Fremantle Dockers’ defence is falling behind as Alex Pearce’s captaincy questioned after 39-point loss to Adelaide

Effort goes a long way as well.

In the first half, the Dockers didn’t do the simple things well against Adelaide.

Fremantle overran ground balls. Fremantle missed tackles.

And Fremantle’s effort was lacking.

Critics will come for the Dockers’ ball movement. But it’s hard to move the footy when you don’t have it. It’s more accurate to say that a lack of polish slowed the Dockers. And when they did have the chance to go forward, Adelaide spent that time setting up behind the ball while Fremantle fumbled and bumbled their way into possession.

More frustrating decision making, more frustrating inside 50 entries and more frustrating errors in defence.

Staying down back for a second, somehow Fremantle’s biggest strength has become a core part of the problem. Adelaide’s 17.9 (111) is the highest score the Dockers have conceded since Brisbane scored 118 in round 21, 2021.

Hayden Young has been a shining light for Fremantle over the past two seasons. He’s still finding the football but he’s nowhere near as penetrating. Seven of his 17 possessions were handballs, resulting in just 300 metres gained for a man who is one of Fremantle’s best kicks.

And Alex Pearce. The incumbent captain was confident the extra responsibility wouldn’t impact his on-field performance after stepping into Nat Fyfe’s shoes for the majority of last season. Pearce, though, has been a shadow of his best.

Taylor Walker kicked four and could’ve had six or seven if not for some sloppy, but largely uncontested, marking attempts. Pearce also turned the football over five times and some of his mistakes directly resulted in opposition goals.

His on-field performance might not even be Fremantle’s biggest worry. As captain, a big part of your role is energising your chargers. Whether the derby hangover and six-day break were a factor, Fremantle looked slow and sore. That’s partly on Pearce. Leading through actions is wholly his responsibility.

The second half was an improvement. Fremantle conceded just one goal in the third quarter and replied with two of their own. The Dockers’ handball game improved on the back of a new intent to go forward but their use inside 50 still lacked.

Then two of Fremantle’s four fourth quarter goals came once the result was certain.

Caleb Serong backed up his Glendinning-Allan medal with 28 touches and 10 clearances. Bailey Banfield was the most willing up forward with two goals and several strong efforts, while Brandon Walker was one of very few Dockers to take the game on out of defence.

Alarmingly, this was supposed to be the easy part of Fremantle’s season.

The most optimistic predicted the Dockers’ would be 6-0. They’re now 1-3 and face a resurgent Gold Coast next week in Adelaide.

The challenges don’t get any easier. And neither do the solutions.