The Fremantle Dockers have thrown their full support behind head coach Justin Longmuir as pressure mounts following a string of disappointing performances in the 2025 AFL season.
With the team sitting well outside the top eight and questions swirling about the direction of the club, Longmuir has found himself at the centre of intense scrutiny from both media and fans. However, despite the growing external noise, the message coming from inside the club remains clear: the players are united behind their coach.
Speaking after training on Thursday, captain Alex Pearce fronted the media and delivered a passionate defence of Longmuir, stressing that the playing group remains fully committed to his leadership.
“He’s the right man for the job,” Pearce said. “We know results haven’t been where we want them to be, but the group is united and we’re all behind JL. He’s got our full support.”
The Dockers entered the 2025 season with high expectations after narrowly missing the finals last year, and early wins suggested a promising campaign. However, inconsistency and injuries have derailed their momentum, and Fremantle now finds itself languishing near the bottom of the ladder after a five-game losing streak.
Longmuir, who took over in 2020, has been praised in previous years for building a resilient, defence-first game plan and nurturing young talent. But with the side struggling to score and questions being raised about their on-field identity, some critics are beginning to wonder whether the team has stalled in its development.
Yet inside the four walls of the club, there appears to be little appetite for panic. Veteran midfielder Andrew Brayshaw also voiced his support, pointing to the strong culture Longmuir has helped foster during his tenure.
“Every player in this room knows what JL stands for and how much he puts into this group,” Brayshaw said. “He’s helped shape the culture we have now, and that doesn’t change overnight. We owe it to him and to each other to fight through this patch.”
Club CEO Simon Garlick echoed those sentiments, stating that the board and executive team remain aligned with Longmuir’s vision.
“It’s easy to react emotionally to poor results,” Garlick said. “But our decision-making is grounded in a long-term view. We have great belief in Justin and the broader coaching staff to steer us through this.”
As the Dockers prepare for a crucial clash this weekend against a resurgent Carlton side, the spotlight on Longmuir will only intensify. A competitive performance — or better yet, a win — could go a long way to easing the pressure and shifting the narrative.
Still, no matter the scoreboard, Fremantle’s players are adamant they will not waver in their support.
“We’re hurting, but we’re sticking together,” Pearce said. “We believe in what we’re building. It’s tough now, but we’re not backing down.”
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