DEBUTANT
'Shattered' Meek feels the love

Melbourne has booked its spot in the NAB AFLW finals series with a nail-biting five-point victory over Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons led by four goals at half-time and looked on their way to a victory, but had to withstand a spirited second half comeback from the highly rated Freo Dockers to register the 5.7 (37) to 4.8 (32) triumph.

Katie Hore kicked two goals for the Demons in an excellent display up forward, veteran Karen Paxman collected a game-high 24 disposals, while Lauren Pearce (21 touches and 16 hitouts) was dominant throughout in the ruck.

Roxy Roux booted two goals for the Dockers and was the spark the hosts needed to get them back in the contest, but she failed to receive much support as the Demons notched the upset victory and moved up to fifth in the process.

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    Roxy kicks her second to put Freo back in it

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    Roux kicks a much needed major

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Hore gave the Demons the perfect start by booting the first two goals of the match and, when Eliza McNamara also kicked truly, the visitors led by 19 points at the first break.

Daisy Pearce got the Demons' fourth midway through the second term to increase their buffer, but Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers started to win more of the ball in the midfield as the momentum started to change.

Gabby O'Sullivan hit the post early in third, only to be rewarded for her persistence when she kicked truly moments later as Fremantle had their first of the afternoon.

A Brenna Tarrant-turnover on the stroke of three-quarter-time led to Roux's first as tempers flared on both sides and setup the thrilling final term.

Gemma Houghton put the Dockers in front with a major midway through the last, but Maddison Gay hit back for the Dees shortly after to ensure the visitors held on.

FREMANTLE                0.1     0.5     2.7     4.8     (32)
MELBOURNE     3.2     4.5     4.7     5.7     (37)

GOALS
Fremantle: Roux 2, O'Sullivan, Houghton
Melbourne: Hore 2, Pearce, McNamara, Gay

BEST
Fremantle: Roux, Miller, Antonio, O'Sullivan, Haynes
Melbourne: L.Pearce, Paxman, Scott, D.Pearce, Gay

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Melbourne: Goldrick (hamstring)

Crowd at Fremantle Oval: 2,233

AFLW Round 8 - Fremantle v Melbourne

AFLW 2021 Round 08 - Fremantle v Melbourne
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