AFLW 2025: Emma O’Driscoll to return for Fremantle Dockers against West Coast Eagles

Fremantle will regain the services of Emma O’Driscoll for their must-win western derby grudge match with West Coast, as the Eagles eye recalling a pair of veterans.

O’Driscoll missed last week’s road defeat at the hands of the Swans after sustaining a concussion against reigning premiers Kangaroos.

However, the two-time All-Australian has trained the house down this week to prove her fitness ahead of the clash with cross-town foes West Coast.

O’Driscoll’s absence was keenly felt in Sydney, the Dockers unable to stem a third-term torrent as the Swans condemned the harbour club to their third defeat on the trot and a 1-3 record to start the campaign.

“It didn’t really feel like we were out of control (against the Swans), even in that third quarter. I think we were just missing the Emma O’Driscoll flyer to intercept. We just couldn’t kill the ball,” Ash Brazill told The West Australian on Sunday.

Jessica Low will miss the clash with concussion, while Joanne Cregg has been omitted.

Matilda Banfield, the niece of West Coast champion Drew, could make her debut after being named on the extended bench alongside Amy Mulholland, Dana East and Phillipa Seth.

Meanwhile, the Eagles enter the derby ready to claim bragging rights over their purple neighbours with their maiden win over Fremantle.

The Eagles won’t start as favourites with oddsmakers but carry in their best-ever start to an AFLW campaign after coming from behind to defeat Port Adelaide for their third win in four matches on Sunday.

And this week they are set to be boosted by the return of veteran defender Belinda Smith after she missed the opening four rounds with a quad complaint.

Fellow veteran Dana Hooker could also replace Courtney Lindgren, who will miss the derby with a back injury, after being named in the extended squad.

Amy Franklin and Kayley Kavanagh have also been included.

Final teams will be announced on Friday.

TEAMS

FREMANTLE V WEST COAST

Sunday, September 14, Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 3.05pm

DOCKERS

FB: A Brazill L Pugh

HB: T Kikoak I Strom E O’Driscoll

C: O Lally A McCarthy S Verrier

HF: A Stannett M Kauffman G Biedenweg-Webster

FF: H Miller G Brisbane

FOL: M Strom K Bowers G Newton

INT: G O’Sullivan M Banfield I West H Ifould A Mulholland P Seth D East B Smith

EAGLES

FB: G Cleaver R Roux

HB: J Rentsch E Swanson C Thomas

C: J Britton E Roberts M Western

HF: K Dalgleish L Wakfer A Bushby

FF: K Gibson I Lewis

FOL: S Lakay C Rowley L Painter

INT: A Drennan C Riggs L McGrath Z Wakfer B Smith A Franklin D Hooker K Kavanagh