Lachie Neale has credited Fremantle’s midfield for reversing a scoring trend going back to round 14, as Freo defeated Gold Coast by 23 points on Saturday night at Domain Stadium.

It’s the first time in seven weeks that Fremantle outscored their opposition from stoppages, and they did it in style outscoring the Suns 40 points to 10 from stoppages.

Neale led Fremantle on the night with 11 clearances, and trailed only Nat Fyfe with 12 contested possessions to Fyfe’s 15.

The 2016 Doig Medallist said it was crucial that Freo regrouped after the Suns raced out of the blocks with the opening two goals.

“It’s something that we have haven’t done, is score from stoppages over the past few weeks and we were able to do that tonight,” Neale said.

“I think around the ball we really hit in.

“The first five or six minutes they probably got on top of us around the stoppages.

"We tidied it up and I thought Nathan Fyfe, Stephen Hill and David Mundy were all really good at hitting in.

“We’ve got some big bodied mids and I thought we did quite well around the ball.”

Neale, who led Fremantle along with Nick Suban with 10 tackles, said Fremantle’s pressure was crucial in helping their defenders as Gold Coast led the inside 50s 49-48.

This pressure helped the likes of Luke Ryan time to read the play. Ryan took 16 marks, the equal most in the AFL this season, and his nine intercept marks was just one off the AFL record.

“I think our defenders held up really well,” Neale said.

“I think they had pretty similar entries and our stoppages around the ball, our tackle pressure and will to compete forced the high ball and gave our defenders a chance. 

“The defenders were really good at sticking to their tasks and bringing the ball to ground, we were able to take it away from there."

Neale said it was important for a young side to break through with a win after showing promise with little reward over the past month.

“It’s been a tough few weeks,” Neale said. 

“Tonight I thought we played quite well. 

“I think for periods of games we’ve been in games but haven’t quite got four quarters out of the boys.

“I thought tonight we gave four quarters of effort and got the win which was pleasing.

“A win’s always good, we’ve seen the young guys really improving over the past month or two.

“Even though we haven’t been wining games, I think we’ve taken little steps forward but a win’s always nice.”