Harvey: Inexperience cost us

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Fremantle coach Mark Harvey admitted his side was smashed physically by the Western Bulldogs in Sunday's top four showdown at Etihad Stadium but believes his side's immaturity had much to do with the lopsided result.

The Dockers not only suffered their first loss in excess of six goals for the season but ended up being smashed by 82 points by the Bulldogs and in the process surrendered fourth spot to the NAB Cup winners.

It was by far Fremantle's worst performance in a season in which to date it has exceeded all expectations but Harvey believes there were mitigating factors to the heavy loss.

And the main one being the club's heavy injury toll at present as experienced defender David Mundy - a late change due to illness - joined other senior players in Chris Tarrant, Chris Mayne, Michael Barlow, Kepler Bradley, Ryan Crowley, Des Headland and Alex Silvagni on the sidelines.

As a result the Dockers fielded 11 players that was either in their first or second seasons on Sunday and it showed against the experienced Bulldogs that were only missing Mitch Hahn and Will Minson from their best 22.

The Dogs had the game won by half-time when they led by 57 points after setting up the win with a devastating nine-goal onslaught in the opening term.

"Physically we weren't at our best but we need to recognise the Bulldogs and how good they were," Harvey said after the game.

"We have got a lot of immaturity in our side at the moment it would be fair to say but that is not an excuse because we were beaten in all facets of the game from stoppages to the way we were tackled to our lack of tackling at times."

"We have got a significant injury toll at the moment but we are fielding a team and it was probably the first time all season that we have been smashed like that."

And now Harvey is itching to see how his young team responds starting with next Sunday's second local derby of the season against West Coast - which remains on the bottom of the ladder but has shown improved form of late.

"What you look for now is how they respond and what we can do about it (in coming weeks)."

"The message to the youngsters is just keep working on your game and make sure you can evolve (as players) and make sure that when the team goes through something like that again, you are the player that can do something about it."

"But (as a coach) you have got to have an understanding of what your output can be when you have a number of young players playing."

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