The Fremantle Dockers achieved a significant victory in their latest AFLW matches, defeating the West Coast Eagles by seven points in a tightly contested western derby and subsequently overcoming Essendon with an impressive 48-point triumph. These two barnstorming performances certainly turned around the Dockers season and more importantly reaffirmed their status as true finals contenders.
The Dockers are sitting pretty at 3-3 today. This award is a testament to their grit and fight to bounce back following a challenging opening to the year. As they get ready to kick off another huge road trip, this time against Carlton then Hawthorn, the team has its eyes on keeping the good vibes rolling.
Western Derby Thriller
The Dockers narrowly lost a low-scoring, hard-fought contest against the Eagles. In an exciting climax, they won by the razor thin margin of less than seven points. The final made national headlines for highlighting the physical rivalry between the two clubs. It was a fierce battle on the field for bragging rights in the I-70 western derby.
Even though they were goalless until the last 15 minutes, the Dockers were able to come back late in the game to win. Their opponents counter attacked with three rapid fire goals of their own, leaving Fremantle with a mountain to climb as the seconds wound down. It was the Dockers’ determination that really came to the fore, as they fought back to claim the comeback win by just four points.
This is a huge win for Fremantle. It breathed a much-needed shot of optimism into their season and they were intent on capitalizing on this fresh momentum in the next set of fixtures.
Dominance Over Essendon
Fremantle played against Essendon on the first day of play at Fremantle Oval. The Dockers delivered an imposing performance in the 38-degree blazing sunshine. Their 9.2 to 1.2 final score indicated just how dominant they were in that game from start to finish.
Kiara Bowers has been the forerunner in that department for the Dockers, setting a new benchmark with 21 tackles against Essendon. She worked tirelessly, proving her fierce dedication to the group. Although she didn’t quite get there, missing out on equalling her personal AFLW tackling best of 22, her intent was obvious. Bowers’ exceptional defensive skills played a pivotal role in limiting Essendon’s scoring opportunities.
In addition, the Dockers lumbar, depth, and versatility was on display with plenty of strong performances from other players headlining the night as well. Georgia Nanscawen of the Essendon Bombers was brilliant with 22 disposals and 10 tackles. Madison Prespakis continued to stamp her authority, adding 20 disposals and winning three clearances. Even with this positive push by Essendon, the Dockers held the momentum and continued to dominate the game.
Looking Ahead
As a result of their recent successes on the field, the Fremantle Dockers have established themselves and their programs as colorful challengers on the league’s stage. They’ll be looking ahead to match road trips against Carlton and Hawthorn. Yet they have to cruise with laser focus, building on this new shiny form.
Despite their early season woes, the Dockers refused to be deterred. Their grit and capacity to win influential wins make plain they have the capability to contend at an elite level. It’s up to the team to take advantage of this momentum. They need to continue to fine tune their game plans as they move deeper in the season.
