Fremantle coach Ross Lyon wants more off-the-ball protection for superstar Nat Fyfe, warning his side may take matters into their own hands if it doesn't happen.
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Fyfe copped some rough treatment in the Dockers' 31-point loss to Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.
Lyon acknowledged Fyfe got a free kick for being hit in the third term, but inferred the 27-year-old was getting bashed around more than others.
"He got checked off the ball heavily. I think he got a couple of free kicks, but we'd like him to be looked after more," Lyon said.
"We'll probably have to take it into our own hands, really, if he doesn't start getting looked after.
"I don't say that lightly, but I've probably had enough of it."
After a poor start, Fyfe single-handedly dragged Fremantle back into the contest with three goals in the second quarter.
It came after he went off the field for treatment on a shoulder injury, the same problem he suffered in the heavy loss to West Coast last round.
"He got checked heavily off the ball against West Coast and went down," Lyon said.
"I'm not sure that happened (against Hawthorn), but I'm pretty protective of my players."
The Dockers, who are 7-9 for the season after losing four straight, got within a point before Hawthorn ran away with the match.
They next face Sydney as they attempt to keep their slim finals chances alive.
"People that were in really good form have just tailed off a little bit, and we've got to fight to get our form back as a club," Lyon said.
"There's no isolating of individuals. We need to become a tougher club and we need to become a tougher team and a bit more ruthless.
"We're just maybe a little bit nice at the minute, but I think that's something I can coach."
Australian Associated Press
