A scintillating 28-point second quarter set up Fremantle for a 32-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
Freo’s home match was moved to VU Whitten Oval due to state border issues, as the Giants owned the first quarter before Fremantle took control of the match in the 7.10 (52) to 2.8 (20) contest.
The Giants had slightly more of the footy in the opening term, but were unable to take full advantage of their 11-3 inside-50 domination.
On the flip side, Fremantle were incredibly efficient in attack, particularly by hand, kicking two goals from their three first-quarter entries.
Freo dominated the footy in the second quarter, finally capitalising with Gemma Houghton's second before the floodgates opened, the Giants coughing up the footy under Freo’s enormous pressure.
Trent Cooper's team took a 25-point lead into the main break after trailing by three points, having recorded 13 inside 50s to just one in the second term.
The third term was once again played in Fremantle's forward 50, with inaccuracy the only thing preventing the match from becoming a complete blow-out.
Second-gamer Dana East was a dominant force for Fremantle through the midfield and up forward, along with usual suspects Kiara Bowers and Hayley Miller, while Ann McMahon provided plenty of pressure in attack and kicked a memorable first goal from 45m.
GWS skipper Alicia Eva was the standout Giant in the midfield, ably assisted by Alyce Parker, while Ally Morphett showed some promising signs in the ruck and Katie Loynes laid 10 tackles across half-forward.
GWS lost first-choice midfielder Bec Beeson halfway through the first quarter with a right ankle injury.
East thrives on the east coast
While captain Miller and vice-captain Bowers finished the game full of running, it was the work of 19-year-old East that caught the eye in the first half when the game was up for grabs. The draftee's slick hands were on show against the Giants, recording nine disposals, seven tackles and three clearances to the main break, compared to Miller's six touches and Bowers' four.
Inconsistency strikes Giants once again
It's been a common issue for GWS over its six years in the competition – stringing together not just matches' worth of good form, but quarters. Coach Al McConnell said it's his side's biggest issue at the moment. After a strong win against Gold Coast, the Giants were flustered by the Dockers and made quite a few skill errors.
McMahon's magic moment
Fremantle forward McMahon has had a torrid two years of rehab after suffering a serious accident in her job as a police officer, hit by a car, breaking one leg and rupturing the ACL in the other. She made her debut last week, but capped off her return to football with a wonderful goal. Coach Trent Cooper revealed she was a chance to miss the game, having finished her night shift at 7am Perth time on Saturday before jumping on the chartered flight to come to Victoria.
Say what?
"Our first and third [quarters] were pretty good, there was a pretty strong breeze out there, so I thought three of our quarters were very good, our last was our worst. We controlled the game, worked really hard in different stages, and then took advantage of that wind in the second quarter." – Fremantle coach Trent Cooper
"I think right now we're a bit inconsistent. We've got too many girls who can do it for a bit of the game, but not all of the game. We've also got some who have work to do, when it's not their day, to find a way to fight. Fremantle will be there at the end, we'd like to be too, but we've got some work to do." – GWS coach Al McConnell
Up next
Fremantle will be looking to continue its winning ways against Richmond at the Swinburne Centre, while GWS will face North Melbourne at Arden Street.
FREMANTLE 2.0 6.4 6.8 7.10 (52)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.8 (20)
GOALS
Fremantle: Houghton 2, E. Antonio, Bowers, Miller, East, McMahon
Greater Western Sydney: Staunton 2
BEST
Fremantle: Miller, Bowers, East, Pugh, Houghton
Greater Western Sydney: Eva, Parker, Zreika, Smith, Staunton
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Beeson (right ankle)
Reports: Nil