Crisis meeting boosted Dockers: Hasleby
Fremantle veteran Paul Hasleby believes a crisis meeting between the team's leadership group is behind the Dockers' stunning recent form reversal.
After losing their first four games of the season, Hasleby said the Dockers' leadership group pulled together and decided they needed to show the example by stepping up.
Leading the way on his return from a knee reconstruction, Hasleby and co have since recorded wins against Sydney, West Coast and Carlton ahead of this Friday's clash with reigning premiers Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval.
"It's been pretty pleasing and the senior players got together four weeks ago and said that if we are going to turn this around it has to come from us," the midfielder said.
"We took it upon ourselves to turn it around and every senior player's work rate and influence on a game has lifted since.
"There were a few soft efforts in the early games and the boys have been throwing their bodies in since.
"Moving the ball quickly has also helped and we have some good targets up forward, but in the first few rounds we weren't getting the ball in quickly enough."
Hasleby has quickly found his best form in the midfield with 32 and 35 possessions the last two weeks.
He is feeling better each week and hopes his form continues.
The 27-year-old was forced to have a close look at himself as a footballer after a disappointing 2007 season that saw him dropped to WAFL club East Fremantle in the final round.
He was in superb shape and making good progress heading into last season before injuring his knee in the opening pre-season game.
The extra year, though, helped him develop as a person and footballer and he is happy with the progress he has made.
"When I re-signed my contract (October 2007) I wasn't happy with where my life was at and my footy career in particular," he said.
"I made huge steps and was super fit going into last year, but having the extra year gave me the chance to develop myself in coaching, media and mentoring a few of the younger players.
"I took the chance to learn as much as I could so I could perform at my best again and be a better team player.
"That's where I think I am at right now and it was a fantastic learning experience."
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