Fremantle forward Adam Campbell says the club let down retired AFL champion Peter Bell by surrendering meekly to St Kilda on Sunday.

Bell, who announced his retirement in July after 286 games, was given an official farewell before the match in front of the Dockers' home fans at Subiaco Oval.

The former skipper also gave a pre-match address to the player group but his message fell on deaf ears as Fremantle let slip a 16-point lead in the second quarter on the way to an embarrassing 43-point defeat.

"It was very disappointing not to be able to send a legend of our football club, Peter Bell, out on a high like we did for Shaun McManus," Campbell said.

"And even though Peter Bell couldn't play for us yesterday he said before the game he wanted us to be able to play for him and it was very disappointing in the second half not to be able to send him off on a good note."

After the match, Fremantle coach Mark Harvey called on his charges to "evolve" and climb "over the mountain" after accusing his players of being spectators in the second half.

"I said to the group I want to see the side evolve when it is not going their way," Harvey said.

"I spoke about climbing over the mountain when it gets a little bit tough to get out of situations, finding out about each other.

"I thought at times the players were not demanding enough of each other when St Kilda were just kicking the ball around.

"The game is not that difficult from a basic thing like manning up when they have got the ball.

"It takes organisation and concentration.

"At times you are not going to finish up on your direct opponent but it is how you cover for each other.

"We had too many guys sit back and be spectators when that happened."

The New Zealand-born Campbell, in just his third game of the season, was a shining light for the Dockers in the first half with three goals, two from outside 50m.

With fellow forward Chris Tarrant ruled out for the rest of the season, the 23-year-old said he was eager to stamp his authority in the final two games of the year.

"I want to set myself for the next couple of games and really finish off the year strongly," Campbell said.

"It has been hard (breaking into the side this season) and sometimes you get a little bit frustrated but you've just got to make sure you keep working hard out on the paddock and keep trying to put your best foot forward in the WAFL."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP