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Season over for Fremantle Dockers in AFLW finals race after loss to Melbourne Demons

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Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
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Dejected Dockers players leave Casey Fields after the loss to Melbourne Demons.
Camera IconDejected Dockers players leave Casey Fields after the loss to Melbourne Demons. Credit: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

Great sides keep finding ways to get better but good sides plateau.

Fremantle were a great side last year.

But it counted for nothing in 2021 as the Dockers prepare to spend another off-season mulling over what could have been after a 5.10 (40) to 3.5 (23) elimination final loss to Melbourne at Casey Fields.

The Dockers showed glimpses of their excellence against the Demons, piling on three straight goals in a valiant third quarter comeback which reduced the margin to four points at the final break.

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But without their captain Daisy Pearce, the Demons remained poised in the last term as Madison Gay broke the heart of the Dockers with the winning goal despite a run of seven points to start the quarter.

In an exact rematch of the preliminary final AFLW fans were supposed to be gifted to last year, the Dockers simply couldn’t match it with the Demons as their season of promise came to a disappointing end.

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“AFLW is the fastest improving sport in the world,” Fremantle coach Trent Cooper said.

“After the Adelaide game (30 point win), we plateaued and stayed at the same level while everyone else kept getting better.

“If you do that, you’re going to get overtaken quickly.

“Last year, we thought we were the benchmark and this year we thought we were going pretty well without really stamping our authority.

“We weren’t far away but we just weren’t good enough.”

Fremantle’s unrest started before the first bounce when an interchange error saw Roxanne Roux dragged from the field, replaced by Sabreena Duffy.

Then for the eighth time this season, Fremantle couldn’t muster a first quarter goal.

Compounding Fremantle’s lacklustre start, midfielder Hayley Miller and forward Roxanne Roux went without a touch.

With only four inside 50s for the quarter, the Dockers defence held firm to concede only one goal to Alyssa Bannan under the weight of 19 Demons’ entries.

But Melbourne’s outstanding pressure and field position prevented Fremantle from using the strong breeze to advantage.

Maddison Gay celebrates kicking the winning goal.
Camera IconMaddison Gay celebrates kicking the winning goal. Credit: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

At one point the Demons positioned all but two players inside Fremantle’s 50, fencing off any avenue of space for the Dockers to work into.

Then at the change of ends, Melbourne provided a masterclass in how to use the blustering breeze to advantage.

Shelley Scott did the most damage with two goals, including a snap over the shoulder from outside 50 that the wind carried across the line.

Fremantle fought hard to stifle the Demons momentum late but could only enter their attacking 50 twice for the quarter, the Dockers forwards futile against Melbourne’s forward half dominance.

As they have done so often before, the Dockers mounted a promising third quarter comeback as Ashley Sharp, Sabreena Duffy and Gemma Houghton combined to reduce a 19 point half time margin into a four point deficit.

But despite piling on 13 entries for the quarter, Melbourne’s Breanna Tarrant could pick no better time to kick her first AFLW goal to ensure Fremantle remained behind as they prepared to kick into the breeze for the final quarter.

Melbourne did their best to keep the door ajar in the final term.

But for the second time in two games, Gay kicked the sealer to cap off a 19 disposal, nine tackle performance.

“They were first to the ball, cleaner, did everything right that first quarter and I thought our second quarter was quite good, particularly with nine minutes to go,” Cooper said.

“The third quarter we played well but probably needed to score more than we did.

“We kicked three goals but we probably needed to kick five to be a solid chance at that point.

“We were hoping our fitness could get us there but we couldn’t get the ball into space to run at any stage.”

Karen Paxman did the most damage for the home side, finishing the game with 20 disposals, four clearances and five tackles.

She was well supported by defender Sarah Lampard who was near impassable early.

Kiara Bowers (20 disposals, 17 tackles, eight clearances), carried the weight of the world Fremantle but was supported by few.

Defenders Matilda Sergeant, Philipa Seth and Ange Stannett stood up under pressure but could only withstand so much pressure.

Scoreboard

Melbourne: 1.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.10 (40)

Fremantle: 0.2, 0.2, 3.5, 3.5 (23)

Goals – Melbourne: S. Scott 2, A. Bannan, B. Tarrant, M. Gay

Fremantle: A. Sharp, S. Duffy, G. Houghton,

Best – Melbourne: K. Paxman, M. Gay, S. Lampard, L. Mithen, T. Cunningham, S. Scott

Fremantle: K. Bowers, P. Seth, S. Cain, M. Sergeant, A. Stannett,

Injuries – Melbourne: Nil

Fremantle: Nil

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