Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson has praised his teammates for embracing the big moments in the Club’s thrilling 11-point win over the Gold Coast Suns.
Speaking post-match, Jackson said Shai Bolton’s game-winning tackle in the final minute of play, stood out to him as one of the pivotal moments that helped get the team over the line.
Bolton iced Gold Coast’s final counterattack with a tremendous run-down effort on Suns player Nick Holman, after Jackson's final inside 50m kick came off the side of his boot to the centre of Freo's forward line.
“Shai’s tackle probably stands out. The last 30 seconds - my kick into the middle,” Jackson joked.
“I thought it was our pressure throughout the day.
Vossy (Pat Voss) pressured really well, our midfield pressured really well, and I thought we kept that going for four quarters.”
Fremantle Senior Coach Justin Longmuir echoed Jackson’s sentiments in his post-match media conference, highlighting several other moments in the game.
“I thought we jumped into the game really well, and that was probably off the back of our pressure,” Longmuir said.
“Probably 10 minutes into the third... until the end of the game, we were tough, and there were some huge moments where players put their head in the hole.
“Andy (Brayshaw) was one... That's Andy - he’s committed to the team cause.
"It doesn’t surprise me that he had that commitment in that moment. He does it week in, week out.”
This was highlighted in the game when, despite losing the clearance count on the day (46–39), Fremantle went on a run late in the third quarter, winning the last nine clearances and scoring 13 points from stoppages during that period.
“We fought outnumbered at times, which was probably highlighted by the last goal we kicked,” Longmuir said.
“(Bolton) has been good all year. We’ve asked him to play different roles when we’ve been a bit light on through the midfield due to injury.
"A bit like Luke (Jackson), he’s happy to play whatever role we ask of him. He played a little more forward today and had an influence in the front half. He’s been super.”
Fremantle will now enjoy the Round 13 bye before returning with three games in a row at Optus Stadium, including the away game against North Melbourne in Round 14.
“We know we can pack it out with Freo fans, and if you’re watching this, get down there for the Club’s away game against North Melbourne in Round 14,” Jackson concluded.
