North Melbourne great David King has slammed Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir’s approach to his side’s exhibition match against the Indigenous All Stars.
Speaking post-match on Saturday, Longmuir admitted that the team deliberately played a “vanilla” game style in their 43-point loss to a slick Indigenous All-Stars outfit.
Claiming good reason for the unconventional tactics, Longmuir remarked that his side’s performance was nothing like what they would showcase during the 2025 season.
“It’s interesting because all the other teams are getting the vision and will be able to watch it from behind the goals. So, we tried to keep it pretty vanilla,” he told media.
“We tried to focus on us, understanding that (there was) a bit unexpected about where their (All Stars) players were going to line up and how they were going to play, and the lack of structure and opportunity to scout the opposition.”
However, speaking on SEN Breakfast on Monday, King refused to believe that the Dockers had squandered an opportunity to test themselves so as not to expose things they have been working on during the off-season.
“What a waste of time,” he said.
“Why would you play a vanilla brand of footy when you’ve got two hours of opportunity to marshal the troops and hit the season at full speed?
“This nonsense about opposition getting the vision from behind the goals … You reckon you’re going to sneak up on an AFL team who is programmed within an inch of their life?
David King. Getty
“I couldn’t believe that. These practice matches are not life and death — you might be experimenting with players in different positions, but wouldn’t you be rigid with how you play?
“The way you want to play is fundamentally all that matters; at the end of the season, talent for talent is pretty even if you’re talking last four standing.
“You’ve just got to hit the ground running. The first six weeks of the season are everything.”
Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes agreed that Fremantle needed to rehearse firing up its game style.
“It was a bizarre statement. They had 43 entries and they kicked nine goals and they played exactly like that. They played vanilla,” he said.
“Yes, they were missing some personnel … you factor that in, but this is a side that needs to go. They need to practice that as much as possible.”
Justin Longmuir is out of contract at the end of the season. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Dockers hosted the Indigenous All Stars team, with the opposing side made up of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players from across the league.
The Dockers scored 9.11 (65) and were soundly beaten on inside 50 entries 59-43.
The team’s efforts were headlined by forward Minairo Frederick’s three goals.
Fremantle kicks off its 2025 campaign against Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday, 15 March. The club only has one official practice match before the season starts.
