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There’s no letting up for Fremantle in the 2019 NAB AFLW season according to forward Gemma Houghton.
Freo set up a mouth-watering final round clash with North Melbourne after a comprehensive 36-point win against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Fremantle fought tooth and nail from start to finish against a spirited Geelong, who took the ascendency early before Freo ground out the win by keeping the Cats scoreless in the second half.
Houghton pitched in with two goals in the win, with Ashley Sharp also kicking two goals as Freo’s multiple goal scorers.
GEM #AFLWCatsFreo #AFLW #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/t46Wdjs4wh
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) March 9, 2019
The tackle count was off the charts for both teams, with Freo winning the count 90 to 66 led by a monstrous 19 from Kiara Bowers.
“We’re a little bit sore but I guess we came across knowing that Geelong were going to be a tough test being leaders in Conference B. It's just great to have that win away,” Houghton said.
“Hats off to Geelong, they always put that pressure on, we were just able to get out the back in the end and get a couple of goals in front.
“I think in each quarter, we readjusted. We knew we were a little bit behind but we made sure every single quarter we reset and went again and we were able to get on top in the second half.”
Fremantle currently sit on top of Conference A with a 5-1 record but could fall back to third depending on other results this weekend.
Houghton said that every game has felt like a final, and this trend is set to continue next Saturday at Fremantle Oval when Freo take on the high-flying Kangaroos.
“Every game that we’ve played this year, we’ve looked at like a final,” Houghton said.
“You just can’t afford to put your head down, you’ve just got to keep going and going.
“We know that North are a great side and they’ve obviously played well all year but we’re also up for that challenge and we’ll be ready to face off.”
Fremantle are unbeaten at Fremantle Oval in 2019 and Houghton said they would need as much purple in the crowd as possible for the final round blockbuster.
“Just seeing all the purple in the crowd and hearing them chant. The fans are definitely what gets us over the line," Houghton said.
Fremantle’s AFLW team take on North Melbourne in a finals decider next Saturday 16 March at Fremantle Oval, 4.10pm. Entry is FREE*
* subject to capacity