FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey has warned his players not to get carried away with Sunday night’s stunning 56-point win over Adelaide at Subiaco Oval.
 
Led by a record-breaking debut performance from Michael Barlow and a dominant game from ruckman Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle won its first round one fixture since 2005.
 
It was a hard-working and at times thrilling performance, but Harvey was careful not to compare the win with any other in his time at Fremantle.
 
“If we start saying things like that then we’re getting carried away with where we’re at (and) this competition changes on a weekly basis,” the coach said.  
 
“There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the last three or four months, so you let them be measured about how they celebrate.
 
“(But) you have to be careful that you don’t get carried away, because we do have to reload quite quickly against the Bombers next weekend.
 
“It was just pleasing that the team was able to do it for themselves.”
 
Barlow, who had 33 possessions, now holds the record for most disposals on debut since Champion Data began recording statistics in 1992.
 
He passed former Brisbane Lion Bradd Dalziell, but Harvey was also playing down the mature-age VFL recruit’s game.  
 
“I’m not into talking about just Barlow, I thought [the] team point of view was the more important line I’d like to take,” Harvey said.
 
“He’s still learning the game, he’s still got a lot to learn, but he’s mature and I‘m pretty sure he’s one of those kids that’s not going to get carried away with his first game.”
 
“He’s certainly got the understanding and the football instinct to be able to read the game and plan ahead.”
 
Fremantle had 11 goalkickers, with captain Matthew Pavlich and Des Headland both kicking three each. Harvey said he was pleased with the even spread, but was more impressed by the side’s forward-line pressure.
 
“We harassed an Adelaide defence that is very good and efficient at rebounding,” he said.
 
“And physically I think we were there in all aspects of the game, which hasn’t always been the case over the last couple of years.
 
Anthony Morabito and Alex Silvagni also debuted for the club and Harvey said both had an impact on the contest, finishing with 13 and 14 possessions respectively.