Fremantle's wayward goalkicking and a lackadaisical final term have papered over the cracks of a largely uncompetitive outing for Steven King's Melbourne Demons, less than a week after their highly celebrated first-up victory over the Saints.
On their first road trip of the year, the Demons found themselves down by seven goals at the first change, after the Dockers produced an offensive burst out of the gate that was reminiscent of their fast start against the Cats in Round 1.
In stark contrast to that performance, however, the Dockers would cruise to victory over the Demons, thanks in no small part to the prolificity of Andrew Brayshaw (39 disposals), and front-half presence of Josh Treacy (four goals).
"They were cleaner and harder than us, at the start of the game, which gave them territory," Dees coach Steven King admitted, post-match.
"We weren't efficient, we weren't clean enough, and our fundamentals weren't on point," he continued.
"Clearly the way we want to play is not embedded yet. (I was) really pleased with the group, (the way they did) not capitulate, and throw the towel in. At quarter-time, things could've got (sic) really ugly, but as a coach I love the response of the group. It's certainly a steep learning curve for a few of our young players on the road."
"We know Fremantle are really clean, they take the tackle on, use their hands and their numbers, so that was a focus for us, so it's really disappointing...that we didn't deal with it well enough. It was obvious to everyone watching that our fundamentals weren't up to scratch."
The Demons kicked the first four goals of the second term to bridge the gap between themselves and their opposition, but that resistance was broken, and in devastating fashion. The Dockers, powered by their fleet of small forwards and pace through the middle of the ground, piled on eight of the next nine majors to put the result beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Down 67 points at three-quarter-time, the Demons saved some face with a few goals in the last, ultimately falling 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70).
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was pleased with the result, but acknowledged his side's performance was "inconsistent".
"Every team is probably a little bit rusty early in the season, and you're looking to play your way for a little bit longer each week. I thought today we played our way for a little bit longer, and our goal is to, next week, play our way for a little bit more, and build our way into the season," Longmuir said.
Longmuir offered that a renewed sense of how players 'get themselves into a game' is behind his side's two fast starts this season. The seventh-year coach alluded to possessions being the focus of his side last year, and that players wanted to get themselves into the game by touching the ball early.
"We're valuing the right things early in games," he said.
"Our contest has been really strong, which gives you field position, and our front half 'd' has been really strong, and I feel like we really trust ourselves with ball in hand.. overall, I thought our method was really strong."
Shai Bolton reminded the league that he is among the more damaging centre-forward options in the game, notching 32 disposals, nine clearances, two goals, and the most metres gained on the ground. Isaiah Dudley bobbed up with three crafty goals of his own.
Max Gawn was predictably among the Demons' bests, supported by workmanlike performances from recruit Jack Steele (15 contested possessions, nine tackles and nine clearances) and youngster Koltyn Tholstrup, who turned in another impactful tagging performance. A week removed from a valiant effort tailing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the curly-haired menace cooled the effect of Caleb Serong with another disciplined outing.
