Fremantle have fought off a spirited final-term comeback from Collingwood to register a one-point victory in Saturday afternoon's AFLW practice match at Victor George Kailis Oval. 

The 4.7 (31) to 4.6 (30) result is Fremantle’s second pre-season win this year, following last week’s 52-point win over West Coast. 

The match started in similar fashion to Freo’s first fixture as Mim Strom had an early impact in the middle and won several ground balls, while contesting well against the Magpies’ Sabrina Frederick. 

In bright conditions, Fremantle's backline absorbed early pressure but showed intent to move the ball quickly out and through the middle, with Airlie Runnalls the beneficiary of regular handball chains with her run and carry. 

Freo took a four-point lead into the first break courtesy of the only goal of the term, with Aine Tighe finding space on the wing and going long to set Megan Kauffman off into an open fifty running into goal.

Collingwood brought more pressure in the second term and found an early response, but were regularly stifled by Freo’s back half. 

Mikayla Hyde, who was one of Freo’s best on the day, racked up four intercept marks for the term as well as a number of important tackles and ground ball collects to keep the contest close. 

Her final involvement of the term set up Hayley Miller to put Freo in front at the half. A crafty handball exchange with Gabby O’Sullivan found Kiara Bowers who in turn hit up the skipper inside fifty. Miller took a strong mark in traffic before she was gifted a fifty-metre penalty due to a late hit, converting from the goal line as the half-time siren sounded to hand the hosts a six-point advantage. 

After taking on the Collingwood heat for most of the first half, Fremantle came out as the stronger side after the break. Sabrina Frederick’s move forward allowed Strom to regain control in the middle and hit to the advantage of her midfielders.

When Collingwood did go forward they were repelled by vital defensive efforts from Serena Gibbs, Hyde and Strom, the latter laying two big defensive smothers before supplying an outlet option multiple times on kick out. 

Strom's massive quarter was capped off when she intercepted a rebound and went long inside fifty to Sarah Wielstra, who went one more to Miller who put through her second. 

Freo would open up a 17-point lead at the last change after Bowers and Runnalls combined to switch and find Joanne Cregg streaming forward late in the term to put through another pre-season goal for the Irish recruit. 

The last quarter began predominantly in the Freo forward half as Gabby O’Sullivan and Tighe began to get involved across half-forward with some clean possession. 

Hyde capped off her impressive display with a big intercept across half-forward before lacing out Amy Mulholland with a precision pass, who unfortunately couldn’t capitalise. 

The point would prove valuable however, as Collingwood ramped up the attack with three quick goals in the final term to pull the margin back to within a point. 

Freo were able to withstand some nervy final moments with the same consistent tackling pressure they’d brought all day, and a late Collingwood shot that missed everything ensured a win by the barest of margins for the hosts. 

Fremantle as a result wrap up their pre-season fixtures with two wins from two games and will take confidence into the start of the AFLW season, which is now only two weeks away. 

Freo will begin their season with an RAC Derby against West Coast on Sunday 3 September at Fremantle Oval. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. 

FREMANTLE          1.0    2.3     4.5      4.7 (31)
COLLINGWOOD    0.2    1.3      1.6      4.6 (30)

Fremantle GOALS:
Miller (2), Kauffman, Cregg

Fremantle BEST:
Hyde, Strom, Runnalls, Bowers, O’Sullivan, Mulholland, Miller