The time is fast approaching when Fremantle can no longer use their focus on youth and development as an excuse for long losing streaks, according to assistant coach Chris Scott.
The dual Brisbane premiership player pointed out yesterday that the Dockers had yet to complete their rebuilding phase as they prepared to let Zac Clarke and Hayden Ballantyne make their debut against Collingwood at the MCG today.
But even though the debuts would bring to nine the number of firstgame players this season, Scott said winning was again looming large as a No. 1 priority. Fremantle have lost their past five games.
"We're confident that we are getting better, but we're cognisant of the fact that we have a lot of young players who are still learning our game plan," Scott said before a training session at Melbourne's Junction Oval.
"We've been really happy with the effort of our players and that's rarely been in question all year, but at some point we're all going to be judged on our ability to win games. That point is probably not right now, we're very much in development mode and we're backing the long-term strategy that we've put in place.
"But our key stakeholders, the members, the owners of our club, aren't going to put up with near enough being good enough for a long period of time. We've been in games and sooner or later our guys are going to have to stand up and get into the habit of winning."
Fremantle will be forced into one change before the match with either Des Headland or Clayton Hinkley to replace youngster Clancee Pearce, who failed to make the trip because of a hamstring injury.
Collingwood also sprang a selection surprise by dropping young ruckman Cameron Wood, leaving Josh Fraser to carry the load against Aaron Sandilands and the incoming Clarke.
Magpies coach Mick Malthouse conceded yesterday that Sandilands was almost unstoppable in the hitouts and hinted his players were better used elsewhere at stoppages.
"He's almost immovable, he's got 211cm of height, he's got a reach like a sick dog, so how do you get near him," Malthouse said.
Star Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan said earlier this week that the Magpies would do their homework on Sandilands' hit-out strategies with their assistant coach, Scott's twin brother Brad.
Sandilands trained in a deep forward position yesterday alongside remodelled defender Chris Tarrant, who could be switched back to an attacking position against his old club.
Scott admitted Fremantle believed Sandilands could prove an ace against the Collingwood defence.
"We always think he can go forward and kick goals for us and at the very least he causes the opposition some headaches," Scott said.
"When he goes down there, every side thinks that they can run off him, but we've obviously got some mechanisms in place to stop that happening. So often in games, the outcome is determined by which ruckman can get forward and hurt you on the scoreboard first."
STEVE BUTLER MELBOURNE
