In a highly entertaining match, marking the first game of Australian Rules football at Optus Stadium, the Fremantle’s AFLW team defeated Collingwood 6.4 (40) to 4.3 (27) on Saturday.

Second year player Dana Hooker dominated in her team’s first home game for the season, gathering 20 disposals and kicking two goals.

She said there was a feeling of excitement amongst the group, after their victory at the new stadium.

“It’s amazing, you can’t hear a thing out on the field when there’s that many people there, but when everyone’s cheering it’s a wonderful feeling,” she said.

“It was pretty surreal playing in front of 42,000 and to get the four points is a good reward for effort and the hard work that was done.”

Going into the game, Dana Hooker said it was important for her team to apply consistent pressure throughout the match.

“Well I think you know one of our key statistics that we look at is how many tackles and how much pressure we put on the opposition,” she said.

“We went into the start of the game with an idea of that being our main weapon and our main focus.”

New recruit Lisa Webb was also a standout performer in her first game. 

Dana Hooker said she was impressed with her teammate’s debut.

“She was just brilliant, she was everywhere, her first half was sensational, I reckon she had about a million touches,” she said.

“She played her role really well on the wing and it’s great to have her in the side and I think she’s stamped her place in the team now.”