Dual All-Australian Gemma Houghton looks set to take her game to another level after leading Fremantle to a convincing 30-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Fremantle Oval.

After struggling to hit the scoreboard in the first half, spearhead Houghton and her teammates reminded the competition that they have unfinished business, downing fellow 2020 finalists the Giants 8.10 (58) to 4.4 (28).

Houghton (three goals and 19 disposals) slammed home two goals in the third term from nine touches to set up yet another victory at their WA fortress.

“I don’t think there’s anyone like her in the AFLW,” Fremantle coach Trent Cooper said.

“She can make things happen that no one else can and when she does, she breaks the game open.

“She’s had two really good years but her pre-season this year has been outstanding and I was really hopeful it would transfer into a performance like today to give her the confidence the hard work she’s done has been worthwhile.

“She kicked three goals but it was the 19 touches and the way she was working up to help us get the ball into our forward 50 was really instrumental and I’m rapt she delivered.”

After spending a month on the road, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Giants who evacuated Sydney in late December due to the northern beaches outbreak of COVID-19.

Yet the visitors were within five-points of Fremantle at the main break and looked willing to cause an upset before the Dockers doused any murmurs in a simply clinical second half.

Perth-raised Giant Aimee Schmidt made it a happy homecoming in the second quarter, slotting a goal in front of family and friends.

But that’s where the highlights ended for the visitors.

On the back of some exceptional midfield work by Kiara Bowers (21 disposals, five clearances and nine tackles) and Jasmin Stewart (15 disposals and four clearances), Fremantle managed 13 inside 50s for the third quarter as they put a solid margin between themselves and a brave Giants outfit.

This included a magical moment for debutant Mikayla Hyde, who just 10 days after being awarded the last spot on Fremantle’s list kicked her first AFLW goal.

“When we get on a roll, it’s pretty hard to stop and our backline was fantastic all day,” Cooper said on the third quarter.

 “Our midfield got back on top and Alyce Parker got pushed back into our back half to help so when she was there, she wasn’t doing the work she was doing earlier on. 

“Our pressure was great so when they were clearing it, we could send it straight back in.”

The Giants did their best to fight back in the final quarter, with former netball star Taylah Davies giving them some hope early with a goal to reduce the margin to 16 points.

But two brilliant running goals from Sabreena Duffy (three goals) and a routine set shot from captain Kara Antonio slammed the door on any late comeback.

Reigning Giants best and fairest winner Alyce Parker picked up where she left off, finishing with a game-high 29 touches and seven clearances.

But a lot of her hard work was repelled by Dockers defender Janelle Cuthbertson, whose bravery and reading of the play repelled a number of Giants’ forward thrusts.

“I’ve got no doubt Fremantle will be there and abouts at the end of the season,” Giants coach Alan McConnell said.

“They’re very efficient when they go inside 50 and I thought we handled most of their good footy reasonably well but they get too much of it at various times of the game.”

The players knew nothing of the pending five-day Perth metropolitan lockdown for the entirety of the afternoon and were only told post match.

SCOREBOARD

Fremantle 1.2, 2.3, 5.8, 8.10 (58)

GWS 0.3, 1.4, 2.4, 4.4 (28)

Goals – Fremantle: G Houghton S Duffy 3 K Antonio M Hyde. GWS: A Schmidt E. Bennetts T Davies R Privitelli.

Best – Fremantle: G Houghton, K Bowers, J Cuthbertson J Stewart, K Antonio, S Duffy. GWS: A Parker E Bennetts R Beeson A Eva E McKinnon.

Umpires: D. Johanson, M. Adams, L. Jago

Crowd: 3195 at Fremantle Oval