Hawthorn great Luke Hodge has labelled Fremantle “flat-track bullies” and says they need to find more steel in their attitude.

The whack comes just hours before the Dockers’ vital Thursday night clash with second-place Collingwood at Optus Stadium, where the men in purple will hope to respond after a dire performance against St Kilda.

Fremantle produced their third-worst first half of footy ever last Friday night, restricted to just seven points at halftime at Marvel Stadium on their way to a substantial 61-point loss.

It was the second time the Dockers were exposed away from home in a fortnight, having been stunned by the previously winless Demons at the MCG.

The results prompted a scathing assessment from Hodge on Thursday morning.

“To be honest, they’re flat-track bullies. That’s what it looks like at the moment, and they need to be looking internally to see how we can change this around,” he told SEN.

“I’d hate to ask the Fremantle supporters over there about what their frustration is, because you see them at home, and they’re up and about.

“You talk about ‘they’ve got a good midfield’, and they do, but then when you go interstate… you hear all the good teams talk about anywhere, anytime, anyplace.

“If you want to be a top-four, top-eight team, you need to win away from home.

“That comes from a mindset. As soon as you jump on that plane, you need to have the mindset of ‘I’m going away, we’re coming back with the four points’.

“That whole trip has to be about what can I, and what can we do as a group to make sure we beat this opportunity.

“It feels like Freo got there. They ran out on the ground, and it’s like, ‘Oh, we’re playing footy again. ‘You need to build up, playing away is always a tough part of football, but you need to have a steely mindset, a resolve to go and be successful at it, look forward to it and enjoy it.”

Skipper Alex Pearce was one of his side’s best last week, but Hodge has called on more of Fremantle’s leaders to stand up and be counted, especially in their star-studded midfield.

“They have got good leaders, because I’ve seen them do it when things are going their way,” he said.

“The thing about it is you need to do it when things aren’t going your way. Who looks internal, who looks external, who’s going to go and talk or help someone rather than go and try and find a cheap kick when you want to get the ball because your stats aren’t to the same standard as where you want it to be.

“If you ask a lot of teams who go up against Fremantle, if you get (the game) on your terms, they won’t give a yelp.

“It’s a massive month for Freo. If they lose the next 4, their season’s done. Simple as that.”