Match winner Ebony Antonio has praised the resilience of her teammates as unbeaten Fremantle were given their biggest test of the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s season so far, holding on for a six-point win against the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval on Tuesday.

It was Freo’s fifth straight win to start the season and fourth since they left the state for an extended trip away on the east coast.

Antonio said the tight knit group came together when it was needed most, holding off the surging Bulldogs who had a strong breeze in the final term.

“Today was tough, the Western Bulldogs are a great outfit and a great young side that definitely pushed us to our limits,” Antonio told Fox Footy.

“Credit to the girls for showing resilience when it was stuck in the back pocket there (in the final term). It’s been good to get another W and we look forward to our trip to Tassie to play North Melbourne.”

With Freo holding a three-point lead at three quarter time, and the ball spending more than 90 per cent of its time in the Bulldogs’ forward half in the final term, Antonio made the most of a rare opportunity to kick her sixth and most important goal of the year so far.

“I just gave myself every chance, keep tapping it forward and then threw it on the boot,” Antonio said.

“I think the wind helped me out there a little bit, but it’s just a credit to the backline, they held up strong all day today.”

Antonio said the group was making the most of a tough situation by coming together in their time on the road.

“Back home, we’re working every single day so it’s great to have the group together and be in each other’s pockets,” Antonio said.

“A lot of the young girls are coming out of their shells, which has been fantastic, and it’s made us gel even more.

“We’re loving being on the road even if it’s tough, but we’re doing well at the moment."