Alex Pearce gave a frank assessment of Fremantle’s 55-point loss to Brisbane on Sunday at Optus Stadium, with a sub-standard team effort creating problems in all areas of the ground. 

On paper, it could be argued that it was an even contest on the field with Fremantle creating 57 inside 50s to Brisbane’s 60.

Pearce said that Fremantle allowed Brisbane too much space on their entries. 

Brisbane moved the ball more freely around the ground – winning the disposal count 393 to 315 – and were able to create quality entries that were harder to defend.

“They smashed us in the stoppages and scored reasonably well,” Pearce said.

“I felt we were under the pump early in that first quarter but after that, we got some entries ourselves and evened up the forward 50 count a little bit.

“But we just couldn’t score when we went in. When they went in they had a very open forwardline, it was tough to defend.”

While Brisbane had numbers around the ball when Fremantle moved forward, the Lions forwards relished the one-on-one contests, taking 17 marks inside 50 compared to Freo’s seven.

“The onus is on the defenders and we didn’t defend one-on-one as well as we could,” Pearce said.

“We allowed Brisbane to come out of the corridor in stoppages as well, which makes our job a bit harder. It was all areas that were down and it showed.” 

Pearce said the issue will be at the forefront of Fremantle’s review of the game.

Fremantle have a six-day turnaround, facing Melbourne on Saturday night in Darwin at TIO Stadium.

“We need to defend better and we need forwards, mids and defenders working well together,” Pearce said. 

“When they get it in their defensive half and can work it through, it’s obviously everyone who’s letting the team down, it’s not just one line.

“We’ll review it and formulate something as a plan going forward and rectify it. 

“We’ll focus on Melbourne and that will be a challenge up in Darwin but something we’re looking forward to.”