AFLW western derby medal: Fremantle midfielder Orlagh Lally conquers the wet to claim best on ground honours

Fremantle midfielder Orlagh Lally has produced a career-best performance to maintain the Dockers’ perfect derby record and claim a maiden AFLW western derby medal. The Irishwoman defied the wild conditions to start like a house on fire on her way to amassing a career-high 24 disposals in the 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16) win. The 24-year-old was humble in victory, saying the award came as a complete shock. “It was a bit surreal, I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” she told The West Australian. “But it was really special, I accepted it on behalf of my team because they all put incredible pressure on. “I went up to take it, but any one of them could have won it.” Lally credited some ‘home’ conditions for spurring her on and says the Dockers were keen to make a statement following three straight losses. “I definitely think the wet weather was a bit like home,” she joked. “I think we all had that fire in our belly. We had our reviews over the past couple of weeks, and we knew we were better than that. “The Eagles have been playing really good football. We had to come out hard and hunt today. “We love to get down and dirty, and the physicality was there.” The Dockers’ eighth straight derby win took them back to a 2-3 record to keep their finals hopes alive, with Lally hopeful they can use the victory as a springboard into the second half of the season. “It’s huge for us, the first four games we knew were going to be really tough and we weren’t at the level we wanted,” she said. “We’ve always had that physicality, but sometimes you have to fight between the ears to really use it. “Previously we’ve probably got a bit fatigued and felt abit sorry for ourselves, whereas today there was no way we were letting that happen. “We’ll take a lot of confidence for it, but we also need to get back to work because the games come around so quick so we’ll enjoy the win and then get on that horse tomorrow. She won with seven votes ahead of West Coast star Ella Roberts (five) and fellow teammate Aisling McCarthy (five). Western Derby Medal Voting Eliza Reilly (Chair) (CODE Sports) 3. A McCarthy 2. O Lally 1. E Roberts Ben Smith (The West Australian) 3. E Roberts 2. O Lally 1. G Newton Parris Laurie (ABC Radio) 3. O Lally 2. A McCarthy 1. E Roberts