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It was an old-fashioned Docker shocker.
The type of performance which again brings up the pain of the past for every Fremantle fan.
As the stakes rise, and the mere thought of success is spoken about, the crushing blow inevitably comes to sink the spirits of even the most passionate of purple army fans.
The Dockers buckled under the Hawks pressure, they folded like deckchairs and their pride would have most certainly taken a hit.
And while on Thursday night, Fremantle again faltered when the expectation was they wouldn’t, there’s still hope for the minor premiers.
Yes, they will have to go the long way.
And yes, this will require wins on the road in the preliminary and grand final to lift an elusive first premiership.
But they finished on top for a reason.
They were the best team – easily – over 24 rounds.
They were consistently better for longer than their opponents.
They have the competition’s best defence.
They have stars on every line.
Their football stacked up.
They still have a very healthy playing list.
And post-game, Justin Longmuir quickly ensured his messaging was positive: “We’re not dead and buried.”
“We’ve earned the right for a double chance.”
“The facts are to get to a grand final we need to win two more games, two games in a row. We’ve won 14 games in a row this year, so we’ve proven that we can win two games in a row.”
While these answers came to questions from the media, Longmuir was most importantly talking to his playing group.
Stay positive and keep the faith.
No dramatic statements, no public shaming or declarations which would cast further doubt into his players minds in the immediate aftermath of their worst performance of the season.
Longmuir’s ability to maintain a level head has been evident all year, and never been more crucial.
Since 2000, 18 of the past 25 minor premiers have reached the grand final – half going on to lift the cup.
Last year, Brisbane were embarrassed in their qualifying final against Geelong, belted by 38 points.
The Lions not only went the hard way, but then skinned the Cats, smashing them by 47 points to claim a second consecutive flag.
Geelong on Friday night is the next assignment – a team who Fremantle have shared results from two outings this year.
There’s no margin for error now, it’s win and progress or lose and pack up.
The silver lining is it’s at home.
The nerves and the knots in the stomach will again be present for players and fans alike. But becoming immortals as the first Dockers to claim a premiership was never going to be easy.
If it was, it would have been done by now.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners
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