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Former Docker Brad Wira says the return of Sean Darcy may be the key to solving Fremantle’s scoring woes.
Fremantle remain in the top eight despite a horror fortnight in Adelaide which saw them come away a 3-2 win-loss record, losing to Carlton and Port Adelaide who sit above them on the ladder by 10 and 3 points respectively.
Since round three, Fremantle has not scored above 70 points, with the last two games resulting in losses during the game's dying minutes.
Speaking to Sports Breakfast, Wira said Fremantle has plenty of positives to take away, particularly in their defensive game.
“I think that 69 and 63 points is just not enough in this game,” he said.
“You can defend their life depends on it, I think they're number one in the comp. They've got that part right, but it does leave you open.
“We saw the evolution of Collingwood, they would win close games. Carlton had to learn last year or the year before, they lost all the close ones and learned how to defend at the end.
“That's part of Fremantle that needs to. If we're close, how do we really, lock it down as opposed to defend.”
Fremantle are one of the best defensive teams in the competition, despite missing players such as Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald.
However, the Docker’s scoring woes are evident - ranking 13th for total goals scored averaging 11.2 per game.
Wira believes a key player who has been sidelined with injury for the first few rounds may be a solution to this glaring issue.
“The elephant in the room is they need to kick more goals,” he said.
“The introduction of Sean Darcy will probably assist, but they won't have a power forward like a Curnow or a Mackay.
“It might assist in 15 points that moves them from 60 to 80. With their defensive mode, I think that might be the key.”
This weekend, the Dockers will look to return to their winning ways in the Western Derby against cross-town rivals, the West Coast Eagles.
The Eagles come fresh off a 39-point win against an injury-ravaged Richmond side, with numerous stellar individual performances across the board.
Wira is backing Fremantle to get the Derby win but cautions West Coast should not be underestimated.
“The Dockers are more steady but hats off to West Coast,” he said.
“They were great on the weekend. Sometimes we forget, they've got some wonderful players and when they're fit, aka Elliot Yeo, he gets ten coaches, votes and wins games.
“No game is easy in this competition now. It is so tight and we've seen that with Hawthorn pushing Collinwood. We see Adelaide beat Carlton, there's just no easy game.
“Fremantle won't take it lightly. They should be favourites and they should win, but underestimate West Coast at your peril.”
IMAGE: Fox Sports