The cold war between Justin Longmuir and North Melbourne legend David King has reached record temperatures, with the Fremantle coach firing up at a media conference on Thursday.

Longmuir has taken objection to recent criticism from the respected footy commentator, calling it a sustained attack and claiming it is personal.

After Fremantle’s 11-point loss to Sydney on the weekend, King hinted that Longmuir would not be coach of the Dockers next year, saying in “2026 the best job in football is coaching Fremantle”.

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“I look at their list, I look at where they’re at, I look at the opportunity in front of this footy club and I don’t know if that’s going to be Justin Longmuir anymore, I really don’t,” King said on SEN.

“I think that he has to play finals this year in his sixth season to show that he is the man.

“I reckon he’s (Longmuir) under the most pressure in the AFL right now ... He’s on a contract that didn’t give you any confidence.”

Longmuir’s contract will change in November this year to what has been called an “an ongoing employment agreement”.

The unorthodox arrangement followed a one-year extension in 2024.

Speaking on Thursday, Longmuir said he was over the ongoing criticism from King.

“If I had $1 for every time someone asked me what I’ve done to David King I’d be a rich man and I’d probably be in the Bahamas (with my) guts up rather than doing this job,” Longmuir said.

“In the end, everyone needs to understand, it’s just David’s opinion. We’re a game based on opinion and that’s his opinion. That’s enough said about it.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful towards anyone, but I don’t think David’s put together a gameplan, put together a list, put together a culture. It’s just an opinion and that’s what I take it as.

“It seems to be a little bit over the top, but it seems to be his way with me.”

Longmuir said he only listened to the opinions of those he trusted rather than the outside noise as he looks to become the first premiership coach at Fremantle.

“I don’t get caught up in it because I am always looking forward and looking towards how I can improve my coaching, how I can improve the way we’re playing and try to live by the mantra I teach the players every day. And that’s living in the moment,” he said.

“I know people get caught up in it and some people around me get caught up in that stuff but really I am just focused on the opinions of people I trust around this club and doing the best I can.”

Fremantle won six-consecutive games before the loss to Sydney at the SCG, and, although ninth on the ladder, they are only one win and percentage outside of the top four.

King said if Fremantle missed the eight, “that’s a disaster”.

“I just think this is it. Find out whether this guy is your man – if not, rip the bandaid off and go again. Find the guy that is going to take you there,” he said.

“They are ripe to go and that’s not to win the flag, we’re talking making the eight now. That’s watering expectation down far too low. I think the heat’s on him.”

Pressure on coaches is in the spotlight this week after threats were made to under-siege Carlton coach Michael Voss that were being investigated.

Longmuir said he loved the passion in the game but there was a line you couldn’t cross.

“I understand there’s a lot of passion in our game and everyone’s got an opinion because of that passion, and I love it, that passion drives out game and drives the money within our game,” he said.

“I love the passion but there’s a line that you can’t cross and I’m not 100 per cent sure of the Vossy situation but clearly a line has been crossed there and in the end, it is just a game.

“I know there’s passion involved, and we all want our teams to win every week and finish on top of the ladder and win the flag every year – I understand that but there’s a line you can’t cross and in the end it is just a sport. And if he’s getting death threats, that’s going way too far.”

Fremantle’s immediate task is to take on fellow finals contenders Hawthorn in what could prove to be a make-or-break game for the Dockers’ finals hopes.

Longmuir said buying into the must-win narrative would not help their on-field performance.

“That’s what you get this time of the year. There are eight other clubs in a similar position and even more so because Sydney are fighting for their season as well, and maybe Port Adelaide,” he said.

“We have to deal with that. The outcome-based talk and noise becomes really loud this time of the year and what we’ve got to be really good at is making make sure we remain process orientated, focus on winning the day, winning each meetings, winning each training session and making sure we prepare really well.

“And not ride any of those stories. I do it, like win this week and this and that. You start playing out these stories in your head and they’re all based around outcomes and trust me, they don’t help players perform on weekends.”

- With The West Australian