Fremantle’s uphill battle to return to the AFLW finals just got steeper as Hawthorn inflicted a fifth loss in eight games this season on the Dockers at Kinetic Stadium in Melbourne.
The Hawks led at each change and finished the game strongly to leap up to second and while Fremantle were far from disgraced, the 5.3 (33) to 2.6 (18) defeat was a fair reflection on the state of affairs.
It was a battle of wills rather than wits as a strong headwind thwarted the Dockers and assisted Hawthorn in the first and third quarters.
But while Fremantle rolled up their sleeves and embraced the physical nature of the game, the Hawks were a bit cleaner, a bit smarter and a bit more clinical in their 15-point win.
Camera IconJasmine Fleming. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Dockers did not kick a goal after half-time for the second week running and it could mean curtains for their post-season hopes.
Fremantle will enter the rest of their games in 12th spot, but they are one win outside the eight having played one more game than their rivals, and their disappointing percentage may be hard to overcome in pursuit of the finals.
“Very similar to last week, in the last quarter with the breeze, we couldn’t get it done, it’s extremely disappointing,” Fremantle coach Lisa Webb said post-game.
“We finished with plus six inside 50s but weren’t effective. I thought at times our skill level let us down,”
Camera IconEmma O’Driscoll attempts a spoil. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We let a couple through (from the wind) and it was a focus for us about and how we work into the breeze and with the breeze.
“Most of the time we did pretty well with that but key moments matter.”
Mim Strom did all she could as a hybrid ruck-midfielder with 20 hit-outs, 19 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances, while Aisling McCarthy paced her side with 25 possessions.
Fremantle had the wind against them early, but some Strom magic allowed them to kick the game’s opening goal as the towering ruck laid a desperate tackle on Lucy Wales to allow Hayley Miller to pounce.
Camera IconAisling McCarthy is tackled. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
But after some initial success enticing the Hawks to play their way into trouble, the hosts began to negotiate the Dockers’ well-laid traps.
Greta Bodey raced onto a ball which overshot the Dockers’ defence for an easy goal, and then Kaitlyn Ashmore converted from a juggling mark and Mikayla Williamson unleashed from deep as the wind carried ball through the sticks with no Fremantle player on the line.
The Dockers made use of the gusty conditions in the second term as they enjoyed the bulk of territory and they cut the deficit through the most unlikely of sources.
In her 50th game, Jess Low celebrated her milestone with a career first goal as her tumbling kick raced away from everyone and through the middle of the posts.
Camera IconGabrielle Newton. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
At half-time, Fremantle had a 20-12 inside 50 advantage and seven more contested possessions than the Hawks – but more importantly, it was the home team who held a slender two-point lead despite going scoreless in the second quarter.
Fremantle did well to negate the pressure after the restart, but the game became kick-to-kick as the visitors struggled to string together long phases of possession, while Hawthorn largely failed to take advantage of the wind at their back.
But Hayley McLaughlin did give the Hawks a sizable buffer considering the conditions when she expertly swung the ball through from a boundary line set-shot.
Up the other end, Miller was left to rue a golden opportunity gone begging when she smothered a kick inside 50 and ran towards an open goal square but punched the ball wide unopposed.
Nine points down at the final break, Fremantle’s challenge was doomed early in the fourth quarter when Aine McDonagh scooped up a loose ball and twisted around before finishing truly and despite the wind behind them late, they failed to seriously trouble the Hawks.
