Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says some of his younger players are facing the axe because they don't seem to grasp the brutal nature of the AFL.

Harvey believes some of the talented youngsters in his side can carry much of the blame for Fremantle's upset 49-point loss to Richmond on Saturday.

Richmond won 23.10 (148) to 14.15 (99) as the Dockers made it eight trips in a row to the MCG without a win.

Fremantle had opened the season with a 4-1 record but, coming off last week's bye, they left their best form back in Western Australia and they also left the load to too few.

Familiar names such as skipper Matthew Pavlich, fellow midfielder David Mundy, ruckman Aaron Sandilands, forward Kepler Bradley (four goals) and fullback Luke McPharlin drew praise from Harvey.

Small forward Hayden Ballantyne, who kicked two goals before being subbed off with a knee problem in the third term, was sorely missed.

But too many Dockers went missing in the second-half blitz by the Tigers, who slammed on 14 goals to Fremantle's five.

The Dockers had dominated the first quarter but kicked 2.8 to Richmond's 3.2.

"When you're on the road, it's a bit of a trait of ours, not kicking straight early in games," Harvey said.

"We need to change the mindset of putting scoreboard pressure on early.

"We're getting carried by too few at the moment. I made a big point of making sure that we share the load in that area.

"Unfortunately we're not.

"I reckon the real test for our younger players is their ability to be able to play well on the road, both physically and mentally, and what they do when they get it."

Harvey said it was too early to make a call on Ballantyne's fitness for next week. However, he said Jack Anthony and Ryan Crowley would be considered for promotion.

"I'd say we'll be making some changes," he said.

"I could blame a lot of things. Young players have to understand the brutal part of the game better."

Harvey said scores from turnovers killed the Dockers, whose ball use was poor.

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