WHY can’t Fremantle get its bye preparation right?

It’s a question the Dockers are sure to be looking at as we speak following a woeful post-break showing against Brisbane.

Speaking on the Duff and Quarters podcast alongside The Sunday Times sport editor Glen Quartermain, The West Australian’s chief football writer Mark Duffield said Ross Lyon’s side had to find answers to its preparation around the mid-season break.

“Some clubs can’t quite nail it,” Duffield said of the bye preparation.

“It was across the board with the Fremantle players. They all looked sluggish, they all looked like they were trudging through mud.

“They got two injuries out of it - one before the ball was even bounced.

“Whether that’s the result of not doing enough, or whether it comes from doing too much...

“Fremantle will either have a stinker going in (to the bye, or after). They’ve sort of altered their routine going into the bye where they keep the players involved for a couple of days so they don’t go on holidays early.

“So they got it right going in this time, and absolutely had a howler coming out.”

Duffield went on to explain why the injury to Aaron Sandilands was “timely” in an odd way.

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What went wrong for the Eagles? (6:55)

How dangerous are the Bombers after their shootout win? (10:34)

Bulldogs rediscover their grunt (14:16)

Harry Taylor's great effort to front the cameras after his miss (18:23)

What's wrong with Melbourne? (19:30)

How do the Eagles stop GWS' midfield? (25:09)