First-year players Dana East and Ann McMahon have inspired Fremantle to have the perfect start to their interstate trip, according to senior players Kiara Bowers and Hayley Miller.
In her second AFLW game, East was Fremantle’s best player up to half time as Freo built a 26-point lead before holding off the Giants to win by 32 points.
East led Freo with nine disposals, seven tackles, three clearances and 56 AFL fantasy points at the main break, as well as kicking a goal on the half time siren.
Then in the second half, McMahon put an exclamation point on her impressive start to her AFLW career with her maiden goal from 40m out on the boundary.
“Our young girls, Dana East I think was just incredible and then for ‘Macca’ to get a goal after what she’s been through. That gives me goosebumps still just thinking about it. Those girls were incredible,” Bowers told Fox Footy.
“It’s pretty simple now, we just have to keep winning while we’re in Melbourne. We’re excited and just want to keep winning.”
Miller praised the whole group for their professionalism as they entered a new environment on the east coast.
“(I’m proud of) the girls, I won’t lie, it’s been a tough week coming over here,” Miller told Fox Footy.
“It’s something very different to what we’re used to over in WA. We’ve been really lucky over the past couple of years, I guess.
“Coming over here and dealing with some different protocols and that kind of thing, but the girls have handled it really well and come out here and performed awesome.”
McMahon said the win was crucial to give Fremantle momentum for their upcoming interstate games against Richmond, Collingwood and North Melbourne.
“It’s good to get the first win under the belt and give us some momentum for the next couple of weeks before we head home. It’s good to get the win first up,” McMahon told Fox Footy.
“The goal was an awesome feeling, it’s a shame I didn’t (convert) my first (shot on goal) but I was glad that this one sailed through in the end and credit to the girls who pushed it over the line.”
Fremantle have finished the round on top of the ladder with two wins and a percentage of 271.4.
They face fifth-placed Richmond next Saturday at the Swinburne Centre, the Tigers’ training facility adjacent to the MCG.