Fremantle’s AFLW pre-season campaign has finished with two wins after a 30-point victory over Collingwood at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

Freo had a slow start in the first half against the Pies who dominated field position, until the game was halted for 20 minutes due to severe weather with two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Following the extended break, Freo wrestled the momentum back to kick five goals to none in the second half for the 6.9 (45) to 2.3 (15) win.

Second Half Dominance
It was a game of two halves with Fremantle dominating the midfield after the main break. Fremantle senior coach Lisa Webb addressed the playing group, as they were waiting for the weather to clear, and reinforced to her team to remain on task and not lose focus on their contest and pressure.

Freo returned to the field to play the remaining two minutes of the second quarter and managed a short burst of dominance to have three shots at goal, which all missed, heading into the break with momentum.

That pressure on the ball carried on for the remainder of the match as Freo had 14 forward 50 tackles in the second half compared to their one tackle in the first half. 

Freo were strong over the entire ground and capitalised on their field position in the third quarter with two goals from stand-in captain Hayley Miller and Áine Tighe to hit the front for the first time since the start of the first quarter. 

"The girls had to take half an hour and reset, go and play three minutes and then have half time," Miller said.

"The way we were able to reset after that and come out firing in the second half was really good.

"I think it was a really mature performance from us. We didn't panic."

Fremantle then finished the game with a period of three quick goals in the last quarter and due to the conditions where goals were hard to come by, it made it difficult for Collingwood to come back.

Irish Flare
Aisling McCarthy had a standout game in the midfield with 22 disposals, five clearances and a goal. The wet conditions suited her playing style as she had a game-high eight ground balls, which delivered the drive from the contest all day.

McCarthy was brought in as a contested midfielder in the trade period. Her 12 contested possessions and four score involvements against the Pies showed why Freo was desperate to add another strong midfielder to their list.

Fellow Irish players Amy Mulholland and Tighe also kicked a goal at crucial times in the game, allowing Freo breathing space between Collingwood. 

Mature Performance 
Midfielder Dana East had an inspiring performance with a game-high 22 disposals and four clearances. 

Miller was impressed by the 22-year-old and felt she connected well with the other midfielders and played to her strengths. 

“We've just been building on our connection in the midfield and we know where each other is going to be,” Miller said. 

“We work to our strengths, and I think that's what you need in a midfield – you can’t have everyone doing the same sort of role.

“I thought ‘Easty’ was amazing when she was cracking in and getting the ball to the outside, and 'Ash Mac' is fantastic on the outside and has that booming boot to get it forward.”

In the absence of Kiara Bowers (pregnant) and Miller who played predominantly forward, the maturity shown by East and the rest of the midfield in the second half was a positive sign.

Miller was also dominant in a new role up forward, as she finished with 15 disposals, and four clearances and was Freo's only multiple goal-scorer with two goals. 

Fremantle will play Essendon in round one at Windy Hill on Saturday 31 August before they return to Fremantle Oval for their first home game of the season against Adelaide on Sunday 8 September. 

Tickets for all matches are on sale now through Ticketmaster, including Freo's round two match against the Crows: BUY TICKETS 

FREMANTLE                   1.2   1.5     3.8     6.9  (45)  
COLLINGWOOD             8.8   2.2     2.3     2.3  (15)

GOALS
Miller (2), Tighe, McCarthy, Mulholland, Runnalls