Collingwood has won a thrilling encounter against Fremantle by one point in stifling conditions at Rushton Park on Saturday.
After trading blows in the early stages of the first quarter, Collingwood booted four consecutive goals to enter the long break with a 12-point lead.
Fremantle hit the front early in the third term with two quick goals, but the Magpies replied through Alicia Eva and held firm under a barrage of forward 50 entries to record their second AFLW win.
Freo Dockers coach Michelle Cowan lamented her side’s inability to play out the full match, but preached optimism ahead of next week’s match against Carlton at Domain Stadium.
She said a ten-minute period either side of quarter-time – during which Collingwood kicked four unanswered goals – was costly for her team.
“You’ve got to play four quarters and that lapse in ten minutes probably hurt us a little bit,” Cowan said.
“We had our opportunities.
“We’re devastated but we know the journey we’re on.
“We aren’t about wins and losses at this stage, we’re about building and getting better week to week.”
“There’s a lot of positives out of today and I thought we did play some really good footy.
With the victory, the Magpies’ slim chances of reaching the AFLW Grand Final remain alive, while Fremantle is still yet to register its first win.
It was over when…
Moana Hope stepped up, but this time in defence. The Collingwood spearhead had a quiet day in front of goal, watched closely by Fremantle defender Tayla Bresland. But her most valuable contribution came at the other end of the ground when Fremantle, one point in arrears, was fighting hard for the lead. With the ball sent skyward towards the Freo Dockers’ 50 metre arc, Hope ran courageously back with the flight to reel in a strong mark and soak up the final few seconds left in the match. The siren sounded and the Magpies claimed a win by the barest of margins.
Work in progress
Their endeavour cannot be discredited, but Fremantle lacked polish. Fremantle finished the match with more disposals, clearances, inside 50s, marks inside 50, contested possessions and tackles than their opponents, but were hurt by an inability to convert their chances. Conversely, Collingwood scored from seven of its 15 inside 50s and moved the ball cleanly forward of centre.
Five minutes of madness
With its dominance at clearances, Fremantle spent large portions of the final quarter in attack. Many of the Freo Dockers’ forwards were finding themselves in likely goal-kicking positions, only to be thwarted by the Magpies’ rigid defensive structure and fervent attack on the ball-carrier. What unfolded was a goalless final term, with Collingwood’s sole fourth quarter scoring shot the difference.
Say what?
“It was good to see that we could hang on and show a bit of resilience which is a positive thing for this team.” – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman
“Statistically we probably should win the game, but I thought Collingwood fought really hard throughout the four quarters and held on to win deservingly” – Fremantle coach Michelle Cowan
What’s next?
Fremantle will host Carlton on Friday afternoon at Domain Stadium in the club’s final home fixture for the 2017 AFLW season, with the match to start at 3:05pm WST. The Magpies cannot afford to lose another match and need results to fall perfectly their way for any chance to feature in the AFLW Grand Final. Their next challenge is to overcome the Giants at Olympic Park next Saturday. The match is set to start at 11:05 EDT.
FREMANTLE 2.1 2.1 4.2 4.7 (31)
COLLINGWOOD 3.0 4.1 5.1 5.2 (32)
GOALS
Fremantle: Donnellan, Phillips, Houghton, Lavell
Collingwood: White, Hope, McIntosh, Cameron, Eva
BEST
Fremantle: Antonio, Filocamo, Houghton, Hooker
Collingwood: Kuys, Stevens, Eva, King
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Adams, Jones, Kirk-Williams
