WALYALUP defender Luke Ryan says the players are right behind Justin Longmuir as the sixth-year coach battles a wave of criticism ahead of a crunch period.
The Dockers’ goal of landing their maiden flag this season is on shaky ground after opening with a 4-5 record.
Walyalup lost the clearances 50-22 and inside 50 count 61-34 against the Saints in what was arguably the club’s worst and most uncompetitive loss under Longmuir’s reign.
The Dockers were much better in last week’s 14-point loss to Collingwood, dominating the clearances 43-30 and inside 50s 62-34, with only their sub-standard mid-to-forward connection costing them victory.
Walyalup faces Greater Western Sydney at Engie Stadium on Saturday, before taking on Yartapuulti (home) and Gold Coast (away) in what shapes as a season-defining period before its bye.
Longmuir is under the pump to produce results, and Ryan was quick to jump to the coach’s defence.
“It’s pretty s***house what he’s copping,” Ryan said.
“He’s just a good human being and a good coach, and he’s always got time for a chat and always reads the room well. So yeah, we’re all behind him.”
Ryan said Longmuir wasn’t the one to blame for the team’s hapless loss to Euro-Yroke.
“If you had been in our team review (in the wake of that game), you would have known that wasn’t the coaching, it was definitely the players,” Ryan said.
“So we’re playing some good footy. We’re just missing a few things, but it can turn pretty quickly.”
Fremantle players look dejected after their loss to St Kilda in round eight, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
The Giants (5-4) got their campaign back on track with a pulsating four-point win over Geelong last week.
Former Docker Jesse Hogan looms as the key man to stop for Walyalup.
Walyalup will be without Sean Darcy (knee), meaning Luke Jackson will handle the bulk of the ruck load.
GWS will be bolstered by the return of Toby Bedford (eye) and Darcy Jones (knee), but Jake Stringer will miss the next three to four weeks with a hamstring injury.
