Fremantle coach Ross Lyon insists it's not time to panic despite his team suffering one of their worst ever western derby losses.
The Dockers were made to pay dearly for poor forward entries and wayward goalkicking during their 91-point AFL loss to West Coast on Saturday night.
Fremantle won the inside 50m count 60-50, but lost the match 19.8 (122) to 2.19 (31) on a dark day for the club.
It was Fremantle's second biggest loss to West Coast, and has put a major dagger through their finals hopes.
Three straight losses have left Fremantle (7-8) a win adrift of eighth spot ahead of a challenging clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.
Saturday's loss was Fremantle's first big defeat of the year, and has raised alarm bells among fans, especially following on from the shock home loss to Carlton.
But Lyon is adamant the team has made major strides from last year, saying recent injuries to key forwards Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner, and Rory Lobb have taken its toll.
"There's certainly no panic stations," Lyon said.
"I don't think anyone expected us to go through undefeated.
"Our average losing margin was 50 points last year. It's 11 this season (before the derby loss) and we've been in every game.
"I've been really proud of the group's effort up until this point. But all of us - coaches and players - we wear this.
"I'm not here to defend the indefensible. I don't think we turned it up. But it was a bit deceptive, the numbers."
Lyon says he will consider making a statement on the selection front ahead of the crunch clash with Hawthorn.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who was well beaten by Nic Naitanui, will be rested against the Hawks to make way for Sean Darcy's return.
Sandilands, playing his first game in more than a year, finished with 18 hitouts from eight disposals against the Eagles.
Naitanui was influential in the win, tallying 23 hitouts, six clearances, 14 disposals and a game-high three score assists.
Lyon rested Sandilands in the final quarter given the result was well and truly beyond doubt.
"We didn't want to make a really bad night worse," Lyon said of the decision.
"Aaron - I thought he did his bit. But Nic's follow-up was super."
Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe injured his shoulder in the second quarter, but was able to play out the match.
Hogan has resumed running again following his recent foot injury, but Lyon is unsure when exactly the former Demon will be cleared to return.
