Fremantle vs Indigenous All Stars, Justin Longmuir reacts to Dockers loss, comments, playi vanilla game style

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has declared his side deliberately played a "vanilla" game style in their 43-point loss to the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday at Optus Stadium.

The Dockers hosted the All Stars, with the side made up with the best Indigenous players from all 18 clubs.

The All Stars put on a clinic, headlined by Polly Farmer Medal winner and Roos skipper Jy Simpkin's 30 touches and a goal, Bobby Hill's four goals and Jason Horne-Francis' three majors.

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But Longmuir, whose Dockers finished just outside of the finals in 10th last season, admitted his side's performance was nothing like they plan to play in the 2025 season.

"We played pretty vanilla," Longmuir said post match.

Justin Longmuir, head coach of the Dockers talks after the All Stars match. Getty

"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.

"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."

Longmuir said the focus now turns to their match simulation, with external eyes not able to pry on their game style

"This time of the year, trying to just make sure we get the basics right and we didn't want to expose some of the things we've been working on," he said.

"I know when we do our match sim, 18 on 18, no one gets the vision, so we've been working on a few things in that space.

"Not going to give too many teams a look."

Longmuir did admit that the All Stars looked fitter than his side.

"It was the first time we had our better side together for the pre-season as well; it's a bit earlier for us than when we'd usually do that and play against another team," Longmuir said.

Jy Simpkin of the Indigenous All Stars in action. AFL Photos via Getty Images

"We didn't defend the ground the way we would've liked.

"Playing against a side with that much skill and run and speed, we got exposed when we didn't get it done in the contest.

"And we didn't stick our tackles."

The Dockers don't kick off their 2025 campaign for another month, taking on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 15 March.

"It was always just going to be a marker for where we're at with our game," Longmuir said of the All Stars match.

"We've been playing intra clubs, and we've been splitting our teams up to even sides most of the pre-season."

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