It was all looking so promising for Ross Lyon and his Fremantle Dockers.
Not only did they have inspirational skipper Nat Fyfe returning from a hamstring injury against Geelong on Saturday at GMHBA Stadium, but after the first quarter against their more fancied rivals, the Dockers had built a 20-11 lead.
That's where it started to unravel for the travelling West Australian club, and unravel fast.
The tourists kicked just five more behinds for the remainder of the day as Geelong went onto boot the next 23 goals. The final score in country Victoria had the Cats winning 158-25, meaning the hosts went on a 147-5 run.
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Much of the fans' frustration was aimed at the Fremantle coach who's had a difficult year in 2018.
With injuries to Fyfe and other stars Aaron Sandilands, Joel Hamling, Cam Sutcliffe, Harley Bennell, Luke Ryan, Michael Walters and Andy Brayshaw, Lyon has had to constantly chop and change his 22.
It hasn't led to a huge amount of success for the club as the loss against Geelong was their 13th of the season from 21 fixtures.
Lyon has been at the club since 2012 and had a great start to his coaching career in WA.
In his first year, the Dockers made the semi-final where they lost to Adelaide, and in the following season they made the top-four for just the second time in the club's history.
The same year they made it all the way to the grand final where Fremantle went down to Hawthorn by 15 points.
In 2014, the Dockers again finished the home-and-away season in the top four before being bounced in straight sets in the finals by Sydney and Port Adelaide.
The 2015 season saw Lyon take the Dockers to their first ever minor premiership, a huge achievement for the club. Unfortunately, they fell to the Hawks again by 27 points in the preliminary final.
Since round one of the 2016 AFL season, it's been a different story for the Dockers.
Fremantle have won just 20 matches from their past 65 fixtures, but Lyon has often escaped criticism because of the way his tenure began in Western Australia.
On Saturday, fans didn't hold back against Lyon.
#AFLCatsFreo Frankly questions need to be asked about Ross Lyon and whether or not he is the right fit for the Fremantle Dockers footy club in the next few weeks.
— We Need a Sports News Fact Checker (@crowdiegal) August 18, 2018
It’s time to seriously question Ross Lyon. Two years and one game remaining on his contract. This is Gold Coast-like. https://t.co/i0IDWGq6Aa
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 18, 2018
@freodockers are beyond pathetic. Sack Ross Lyon surely. #AFLCatsFreo
— 🏧 (@mraaronmeadows1) August 18, 2018
If the Freo board doesn't sack Ross Lyon after this game it shows they are more worried about his payout than the future of the club. #AFLCatsFreo #ForeverFreo #foreverfreo
— Lindsay Bordas (@Herbie_planeguy) August 18, 2018
Ross Lyon should do the honourable thing and resign
— SERGIO DERANG0 🇭🇲 (@SERG1O_D) August 18, 2018
So time for Ross Lyon to be sacked #AFLCatsFreo
— Joy Hooker (@JoySC01) August 18, 2018
The idea that Ross Lyon is a good coach is one of the great myths of modern football.
— TH (@MiddleTote) August 18, 2018
Honestly how is Ross Lyon still coaching ? His style is about 10yrs behind. #AFLCatsDockers
— swimming pool (@thebigoxley) August 18, 2018
