Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie has declared Fremantle are a club in crisis, saying coach Ross Lyon and chief executive Steve Rosich should be the first ones out the door.

The Dockers have copped widespread criticism since Saturday’s 133-point loss to Geelong, when they conceded 23 straight goals.

Although Fremantle have managed eight wins this season, they have lost nine games by 50 points or more.

Lyon has two more years to run on his contract but Hardie says it would be better for Fremantle to count their losses and pay him out now.

“It’s time the Fremantle board got serious about things and put the heat on a coach who has worn out his welcome, has completely coached the flair out of his playing group and, based on Saturday’s post-match press conference, is either delusional or thinks he’s above being questioned,” Hardie wrote on PerthNow.

“Make no mistake, this is a crisis and Lyon and Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich (his biggest supporter) should be the first ones out the door.

“The question everyone seems to want to throw up about Lyon and the two years remaining on his contract is, ‘How much will it cost to let him go?’.

“But the more important one the club board should be asking is, ‘What’s it actually going to cost us to keep him here?’.”

Hardie criticised Fremantle’s decision to re-sign Hayden Ballantyne and Harley Bennell.

Ballantyne tallied just four disposals against the Cats, while Bennell has been plagued by calf and off-field issues for the past three years.