AFLW: Fremantle Dockers put one foot into finals with strong win over Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium
Fremantle has rescued another goalless first quarter to put one foot into finals and all but snuff out the Cats’ hopes with an 18-point win at GMHBA Stadium.
It was a night for the ball winners as Hayley Miller (25 disposals and a goal), Aisling McCarthy (29 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) and Gabby O’Sullivan (two goals and 19 disposals) burned their fingerprints into the Sherrin to lead the Dockers to their fourth-straight victory 6.9 (45) to 3.9 (27), moving to third on the ladder.
Mim Strom made sure to grease the wheels, continuing to put her hand in the All-Australian ring with 14 disposals, 42 hitouts, five tackles and six marks.
The Cats were left to rue dreadful kicking after starting with six behinds in a row as well as barely hitting a target all night, while Ash Brazill kept star Geelong forward Aishling Moloney to one goal and four behinds.
Geelong had doubled Fremantle’s disposals in the opening six minutes, using forward handballs and run to push the purple press deeper into defence.
But dropped marks and missing targets by foot allowed the visitors to turn the contest into a scrap.
Despite the overwhelming advantage in disposals, the Cats were as goalless as the Dockers as the sides huddled up at quarter time.
It’s the fifth time this season Fremantle failed to take a goal into the first break.
Camera IconHayley Miller starred as the Dockers beat Geelong. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
Where the Cats struggled in the air, Fremantle ruck Strom looked a powerhouse, doing her best to take the pressure off her back five.
The Dockers’ tackle pressure was a highlight, but the Cats finally found in-form forward Moloney, who felled Brazill with a stray hand to the throat to get clear and end the run of six-straight behinds.
A brilliant spin and burst from Ebony Antonio offered Mikayla Morrison her moment after 973 days out of the game.
Her set shot fell short, but amid the ensuing chaos, 19-year-old Tasmanian Tunisha Kikoak put the Dockers’ first major on the board.
Fremantle finally made the most of Strom’s ruck dominance, winning the clearance to get the ball forward, where co-captain Miller levelled scores with a crafty snap.
The Dockers nabbed a third goal before halftime and looked to have the momentum as Sarah Verrier kicked the visitors into an early second-half lead.
Camera IconGabby O’Sullivan of the Dockers celebrates a goal. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
Geelong’s kicking continued to hamper their progress as Fremantle found their run through the middle, led by Miller – who had 13 disposals in the third term – and McCarthy.
Geelong debutant Bryde O’Rourke finally succumbed to a shoulder injury suffered in the opening minutes as the Dockers turned for home with a 16-point lead.
The Cats sparked the crowd with the first goal of the last term, but it was in vain as the Dockers showed their maturity, withstanding every thrust with tireless effort.
Camera IconAisling McCarthy of the Dockers and Rebecca Webster of the Cats in action. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL PhotosSCOREBOARD
FREMANTLE 0.0, 3.0, 2.8,
GEELONG 0.4, 2.7, 5.6,
Goals – FREMANTLE: O’Sullivan 2 T Kikoak H Miller G S Verrier A McCarthy GEELONG: A Moloney S Scott Z Friswell
Best – FREMANTLE: H Miller A McCarthy M Strom G O’Sullivan O Lally GEELONG: R Webster G Prespakis Z Friswell M Brown
Injuries – FREMANTLE: Nil GEELONG: B O’Rourke (Shoulder)
Crowd: TBC at GMHBA Stadium
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