Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir says missed opportunities in front of goal proved costly

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir admits missed opportunities in front of goal cost his side as the Dockers squandered a chance to cement themselves in the top four.

Four behinds to start the third quarter proved costly for the visitors, who kicked 5.9 in a wasteful second half in the 13.9 (87) to 10.14 (74) defeat in Launceston on Saturday.

“It was a game that came down to who took their chances better and they took their chances better in the end,” Longmuir said.

“We played the game we wanted to in the third quarter, especially the first two-thirds of it. We played it at our end, created opportunities but started the quarter with four points.

“I think we kicked 4.6 for the quarter and we just needed to put more of a gap when we had ascendancy in the game.”

In a masterstroke by Hawks coach Sam Mitchell, returning captain James Sicily was swung forward and kicked three goals, including two late in the final term to snatch the lead and seal the 13-point win.

Mitchell said Sicily switched ends after the defender had struggled to have an influence behind the ball.

“When you have a player of his calibre, who is not as dominant as you would like, we obviously have the scope to move him and he’s just got an appetite to be in those positions,” Mitchell said.

“I was rapt he was able to hit the scoreboard and have a good impact for us in front of the ball.”

At the other end, both Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss kicked 1.3, including four behinds between them in the second half.

“He (Sicily) had some big moments, won some contests and finished his work,” Longmuir said.

“That was the difference in the second half in particular... they just finished their work off.

“He was a big part of that, he won some critical contests and kicked his goals. Unfortunately in the second half, we were inaccurate.”

Longmuir conceded Amiss’ accuracy woes would be having an impact on him, with the forward kicking 24.24 for the season, compared to his 41.17 return last year.

But the pragmatic coach was confident the 20-year-old would be able to overcome it in the run into September.

“There is no doubt that when you’re missing goals, that does play on your mind a little bit,” Longmuir said.

“He’s got to work, and we’ve got to help him, work his way through that and no doubt that he will.”

Fremantle are set to be boosted by the return of Alex Pearce against Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday, with an eight-day break between games set to help the injured captain’s odds.

Longmuir said Pearce, who hails from Tasmania, “was close” to playing against the Hawks.

“Sitting here right now, probably expect him to play next week but he’s not over the line yet,” Longmuir said.