Stinear on the record at home this year

We wanted to try and make our home ground a fortress. So far, we have got five wins, with one game to go, so we have been able to do that.

But I think the start was really important today. Fremantle have been a good side, I feel like they are better than a 5-5 record because their best footy has been really good.

So we wanted to start the right way, and I think we adjusted to the conditions, which were a little bit slippery at times. We stopped overusing the handball and started to get some deeper entries, particularly in that third quarter.

The last quarter, there was probably an element of fatigue and a few moving parts with a few players.

We would have loved to have finished a little bit stronger, but Freo are a strong and competitive side, and they fought the game right out. 

Stinear on the increased pressure

Around stoppage and contest, it was about just taking it forward at the right times.

Then on turnover, taking the chance to use the ball a little more, keeping it simple when there is a lot of bodies around. So I think we found that balance as the game wore on.

When the pressure spiked, we probably revert back to looking for one extra handball. There was good predictability when we move the ball quickly, our forwards were first to move, we were getting good contest ahead of the ball.

I think from a Freo perspective, I thought our group did a good job of taking their game away from them.

At moments, they were able to find those uncontested marks but as a whole, we felt like we were able to close that down and apply good pressure to their contest game. 

Stinear on the standout forwards

It has been handy, we probably had one too many key forwards and it meant Chantal was able to play through the ruck.

Her game time has been a bit limited, but it was great for her to get a bit more opportunity today and make the most of it.

Kate Kenny coming into the side gave us a bit of a different look forward as well.

Then I think Rachel Kearns playing forward, her energy, physicality and what she can do with reading the game really well today, she was able to impact offensively and defensively. There was a number of forwards there that were able to give us a different look. 

Stinear on the tune-up for Finals

That was the positive about coming into these last two games, against Freo and the Bulldogs.

You know you are going to get challenged in that area, I think that is one of our higher pressure games for the season.

Then our physicality, it was pretty tough out there and there were some good lessons.

The group is really coachable, we were able to navigate our way through and the instruction and support to each other is critical to the decision making.

There were some good signs, but the Bulldogs' pressure game goes up a notch again next week.