Freo flash Harvey’s license to thrill

FREMANTLE coach Mark Harvey encouraged his side to take the game on before Saturday night's 21-point triumph over the Sydney Swans, and he was rewarded in spades.

After four sapping losses to open the year, culminating in a dismal 83-point trouncing by St Kilda last week, Harvey's men made a statement on Subiaco Oval, playing direct, committed football.

Harvey said he challenged his players to show what they were capable of after the side managed just four goals in last week's outing.

"I think when you go through a losing streak like [we] have, sometimes there can be a reluctance to take the game on because of that reason," he said after the match on Saturday night.

"I did make a statement that; ‘Don't worry about the consequence – take the game on’."

Harvey praised star forward Matthew Pavlich, who has faced as much personal scrutiny as his team so far this season, and said the skipper led from the front to set up the stirring Anzac Day win.

He also highlighted David Mundy's complete performance. Mundy had 20 possessions (14 contested), three goals and seven clearances to pip Pavlich for best afield honours.

Above all though, it was the even spread that had been missing from Fremantle's first month that most pleased Harvey.

"A lot of our senior players got involved early and when you have a look right across the board you'll see everyone's weighed in, in the areas that you are required to to win the game," he said.

"It's about stamina, endeavour and last man standing, so tonight typified Anzac Day in many ways.

"Even though after half time we were out-scored, I thought we never really let them get any momentum on their way back."

Fremantle faced a stiff challenge from the Swans, who applied relentless pressure to finish the game with 91 tackles. The most Fremantle had faced this season was 55 against Adelaide in round three.

However, Fremantle had more contested possessions, more clearances and applied their own physical pressure to notch the upset win.

"It was one of those extraordinary nights where you play Sydney, you end up having 100 plus stoppages," Harvey said.

"That's what they pride themselves on and that's where they get their drive from. We were really keen to stop that drive.

"The playing group has felt the brunt of all that, which is good from a mental toughness point of view for our guys."

Harvey said he was pleased for the club, the players, the members and the fans after the drought-breaking loss, but Rhys Palmer gave the club a scare in the fourth quarter, falling awkwardly and clutching his knee.

"My understanding is there's nothing structurally [wrong], but we have to wait until tomorrow," Harvey said of the nasty looking injury.

"Maybe a little bit of cartilage.

"[We] have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how it responds.”