FREMANTLE'S players are determined to rally behind besieged coach Ross Lyon by improving their performance after a dismal 77-point loss to Richmond, veteran David Mundy says.
The Dockers' effort against the rampant Tigers raised questions whether allegations the coach made an inappropriate comment to a former junior staff member were impacting the playing group.
Mundy declared the Dockers "absolutely" wanted to support the coach by playing better football, and insisted Lyon was holding up well despite the storm around him.
"Ross at the moment is the same old Ross, it's not really showing in his demeanour or his attitude or his commitment to coaching us and getting the best out of us," Mundy said.
"He's the same old coach that he's always been and hopefully we can put a better performance together this week."
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In his weekly interview on Channel Seven on Tuesday night, Lyon said his focus is on football.
"What I would say is I can't control the media and what's being written and said," he said.
"My focus is on coaching our team well, giving them strong leadership and direction. I feel like I'm doing that.
"We’ve been playing really well at home. If we can learn off the weekend and play better footy it means we're heading in the right direction."
Mundy called on his teammates to produce a more even display against St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Saturday night after being on the receiving end of a brutal Tigers' team effort.
While the Dockers arguably had the best three players on the ground in Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands and Lachie Neale, their opponents gave them a lesson in pressure and cohesive football.
"It's something we always talk about, that weight of numbers effort across the board," Mundy said.
"Especially when we're travelling, and especially against the good sides, it does take the whole 22.
"It something that we're striving for.
"We were commenting about it after the game on the way home, it wasn't one or two of their best guys who really dominated us, it was a 22 (player) even performance.
"Their role players thoroughly understand their role, they're hard men and they go all day, right to the end."
The Dockers' 4.9 (33) was the lowest score in Ross Lyon's 269 games as a senior coach at St Kilda and Fremantle and continued a trend of Freo struggling to hit the scoreboard away from home.
Lyon's outfit is averaging 98 points in three wins from four games at Optus Stadium, compared to just 48 in three interstate losses.
The coach raised the issue of distractions for young players on road trips after the Tigers defeat, and Mundy said there needed to be balance between reconnecting with family and friends while preparing to play.
"There's no set structure around our downtime, but we have a lot of guys who haven't really experienced the travel aspect before and it does take a bit of getting used to," he said.
"That being said, we're professional athletes and we're determined to get that right."
The Dockers have several key players on the sidelines but are hopeful smooth-moving Stephen Hill (quad tightness) will be fit to face the Saints.
Hill made a brief appearance at a light skills session on Wednesday before having a discussion with high performance manager Jason Weber as he left the track.
Damaging half-back Nathan Wilson didn't train and was spotted speaking to the club doctor on the sidelines.
Despite the low-key training session, Lyon also wandered onto the track and appeared in good spirits.
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