Fremantle vice-captain Caleb Serong believes that there's "not 100 per cent buy-in" to the game plan from the playing group, which is preventing results from going their way.
Off the back of a putrid performance against St Kilda, where the Dockers were smashed by 61 points under the roof at Marvel Stadium, the Western Australian club hit the review hard in a bid to keep their season on track.
Heading into the 2025 season, many pundits believed Fremantle were ready to jump into top-four calculations, but after the first eight rounds, they have yet to meet expectations, and Thursday's test against Collingwood will provide another indication of where they stand.
"It's something we're continuing to try and allow to come to fruition, the talent, that this group to come out and show itself and play on instinct, but also play within a really strong, well-driven game plan," Serong said.
"The best teams have individuals who play on instincts and guys who are playing roles, and we, at the moment, need to continue to dive into where we sit within that game plan as individuals and as a group.
"And at the moment, there's not 100 per cent buy-in from across the board, and I think that's not allowing us to really bring that talent out to show, and as a group, not allowing us to get the results we're after.
"I think the roles, and the dedication to the game plan, will allow the talent to come out more, because we'll be more predictable to each other.
"We need to get back to playing team football. That's the reality. The consistency on that point of view, which flows into a lot of things... we will dig deeper into that."
As a result of the inconsistent form, pressure has begun mounting on coach Justin Longmuir, whose peculiar pre-season contract call doesn't detract from poor performances.
Much has been made of Longmuir's future, and whether he is the right man to lead the Dockers to their maiden premiership.
Adding to the speculation is the potential of the club to look at premiership coaches in Adam Simpson and John Longmire, while Nathan Buckley is well credentialed to lead a side.
"It's hard to cop," Serong said of the Longmuir commentary.
"I know he'd be copping a bit of heat over the last couple of days, and I just wanted him to know that he's got my full backing as a leader.
"Because we're the ones out there playing, and the reality of the week last week, I don't think, was any different. He (Justin Longmuir) prepared us really well, the coaching staff have the players' complete belief and support.
"I've got full belief in the game plan and him as a coach, and I love playing for him. That doesn't really get spoken about, except for the fact that it's on us to respond.
"It's a winning game plan in my opinion, but we haven't played it consistently enough."
