Home

AFLW: Fremantle record 11th straight win with victory over Gold Coast

Headshot of Eliza Reilly
Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Fremantle’s Hayley Miller stepped up.
Camera IconFremantle’s Hayley Miller stepped up. Credit: Paul Kane/AFL Photos

Fremantle proved they are no one-trick pony when it comes to scoring, finding multiple avenues to goal to overcome a brave Gold Coast by 49 points and record an 11th consecutive win.

After leading by only five points at half-time, the Dockers roared to life in the second half to run out 7.13 (55) to 1.0 (6) winners.

But the Dockers did it without power forwards Gemma Houghton and Sabreena Duffy who both failed to trouble the scorers.

Instead it was the return to form of Roxy Roux, the constant pressure of Gabby O’Sullivan (16 disposals and two goals) and the forward run of midfielders Ebony Antonio and Hayley Miller which saw the Dockers record their biggest win of the season.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“In the team meeting with the forwards we talk about how many, not who,” coach Trent Cooper said.

“Gabby O’Sullivan is almost one of our most important forwards because she always works hard and today it was her turn for a lick of the ice cream with two goals two and 16 touches.

The Game AFL 2024

“Houghton and Duffy didn’t have big days but there were moments when they were contributing as well and that’s what we need to have to be one of the top teams is that spread.

“If we go out in a final and opposition sides know they can stop Houghton and Duffy, then we could be in trouble but if we do, we know there are others who can stand up.”

The difference in the middle was Kiara Bowers, who continued her excellent season to finish with 17 disposals, 15 tackles and five clearances despite a hard tag.

The Dockers are now unbeaten at Fremantle Oval since 2018, and remarkably haven’t lost an AFL match since March 2019.

Despite arriving in Perth winless, the Suns looked a much improved side in the first half and held the Dockers scoreless in the first quarter.

It was going to take something special to slice through the Suns’ press and Roux provided just that.

In her first goal of the season, Roux rammed home a magnificent checkside snap from the deep in the right pocket.

But Fremantle could not capitalise on all their hard work and managed just the one goal from six scoring shots as Gold Coast defensive pillar Jade Pregelj did her best to keep her side in the game.

“Gold Coast play a very hard brand of footy,” Cooper said.

“We knew they were going to make it hard and they made it very hard for us early.

“I thought they were first to the ball early which caught our girls off guard.”

After not registering a touch in the first half up forward, captain Kara Antonio started the third quarter in the centre circle.

Sarah Verrier celebrates after scoring a goal against the Suns.
Camera IconSarah Verrier celebrates after scoring a goal against the Suns. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

The move proved the catalyst to ascendancy and within the blink of an eye, Fremantle extended their advantage to 25 points ahead of the final change.

O’Sullivan, Ebony Antonio (11 touches and six tackles) and Sarah Verrier kicked a goal each.

Reigning Suns club champion Jamie Stanton looks to have returned to her 2020 form, finishing with a team-high 17 disposals and seven clearances.

She was well-supported by recruit Alison Drennan who notched 14 touches.

Much of the Suns’ hard work was undone by Dockers duo Janelle Cuthbertson and Emma O’Driscoll, who came of age with an impressive shutdown role on Gold Coast’s sole goal scorer Leah Kaslar.

Gold Coast only managed six inside 50s after quarter time.

“That’s the level and we’ve got to get to it so we’ll take the lessons and see what we can do the next five weeks,” Suns coach David Lake said.

SCOREBOARD

Fremantle: 0.0, 1.5, 4.7, 7.13 (55)

Gold Coast: 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 (6)

Goals – Fremantle: G. O’Sullivan 2, R. Roux, E. Antonio, S. Verrier, H. Miller, A. Sharp. Gold Coast: L. Kaslar

Best – Fremantle: G. O’Sullivan, K. Bowers, H. Miller, J. Cuthbertson, S. Cain, R. Roux. Gold Coast: J. Stanton, A. Drennan, J. Pregelj, L. Bella, K. Surman, L, Single

Umpires: D. Johanson, L. Jago, G. Simmonds.

Crowd: 2401 at Fremantle Oval

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails