Harvey defends Dockers over discipline - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Harvey defends Dockers over discipline

By Guy Hand 12/07/2008 07:41:12 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey denies his team is not getting the message about discipline despite another AFL thrashing and an even bigger beating looming for Docker Dean Solomon at the tribunal.

Harvey said he believed his message to his side to improve their questionable discipline was reaching the players.

But Saturday's 74-point thumping by Geelong at Skilled Stadium, and Solomon facing a lengthy suspension for elbowing Cats onballer Cameron Ling in the head, have again raised questions.

The AFL match review panel and tribunal have this season found seven Dockers guilty of ten charges - three men serving suspensions.

Only Hawthorn players have a worse record, though Solomon should now send the Dockers soaring past the Hawks on weeks lost.

Fremantle forward Jeff Farmer and midfielder Heath Black have also had to be hauled over the coals by the club for missing recent training sessions.

Farmer returned to the side after the latest of his indiscretions.

But his comeback was notable only for how Geelong defender Josh Hunt managed to run circles around him twice in the second quarter to show just how much the 31-year-old is struggling.

Harvey described Solomon's hit on Ling as "unacceptable", but denied it was symptomatic of an out-of-control discipline problem.

"The message (about discipline) is getting through as far as I'm concerned," Harvey said.

"If players want to put themselves in those situations, then they'll pay the penalty via the tribunal.

"It's not something we want to stand for."

The Dockers were clearly intent on unsettling Geelong, but any thoughts their roughhouse tactics might spark an upset were dashed by midway through the second term.

Geelong booted three goals and held the Dockers without a major to open up a 33-point halftime lead.

Cats midfielders Joel Selwood and Joel Corey ran riot in the third term as their side kicked the opening four goals of the quarter to put the issue beyond doubt.

The Cats finished things off with a five goals to one final term, including the last three as Fremantle fell apart entirely.

Harvey praised Geelong's performance as outstanding, and pointed to the number of young players his side is blooding as the reason they struggled to match the Cats.

"What I saw today was the men versus the boys," Harvey admitted.

"It's probably the youngest side we've played for a number of years and we're forced to play players before they're ready to play because of retirements, long-term injuries and where we are on our list."

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