Fremantle extended its winning run to eleven games and further enhanced its premiership credentials on Saturday with a 49-point win over the Gold Coast SUNS at Fremantle Oval.
A young SUNS side fought hard all afternoon and Coach David Lake couldn’t fault his sides effort, but it wasn’t enough against an experienced Dockers side.
The Dockers didn’t take their chances throughout the afternoon, mainly due to the SUNS pressure throughout the game but delivered the knockout blow in a physical third quarter to win 7.13 (55) to 1.0 (6).
A SUNS side that was pinned inside its own defensive 50 for the first five minutes of the game were the first to score in the first quarter.
A quick rebound 50 saw Leah Kalsar break out the back of a Dockers defence and kick truly from 30m out as she was chased down from behind.
Fremantle midfielder Kiara Bowers was supreme again as she stakes her claim as the League's best player this season, winning 17 possessions (eight contested) and laying a massive 15 tackles.
She inspired a run of seven unanswered goals after quarter-time after the Dockers went scoreless in the opening term.
SUNS midfielder Jamie Stanton continued her great form fighting hard for 17 disposals and seven clearances, while Lauren Bella won the ruck battle with 25 hitouts.
Lucy Single may only be in her first AFLW Season, but she’s proving to be a tackling-machine week on week, finishing the game on 7 tackles.
Daisy D’Arcy was another SUN who worked tirelessly throughout the game, showing she’s got a bright future for the club.
That was the third away fixture in a row for the SUNS and against quality opposition and although under the pump for the final three quarters, would be pleased with their set up behind the ball to hold one of the competitions premier forward lines for the majority of the day.
Midfielder Alison Drennan wasn’t able to complete the game with a suspected ankle injury.
The SUNS Round 5 fixture is still to be confirmed.
Defence first
The SUNS were set up well behind the ball in the first half and were probably focused on saving goals rather than kicking them for a long time. Still, it takes a concerted effort to keep the attacking Dockers scoreless for a quarter, as Adelaide managed last week, and that was an early win for the Suns. They went scoreless themselves for the next three quarters, however, which made competing impossible.
FREMANTLE 0.0 1.5 4.7 7.13 (55)
GOLD COAST 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (6)
GOALS
Fremantle: O'Sullivan 2, Roux, Miller, Sharp, E Antonio, Verrier
Gold Coast: Kaslar
BEST
Fremantle: Bowers, Cuthbertson, O'Sullivan, Miller, Roux, Stewart
Gold Coast: Stanton, Bella, Single, Surman, Howarth
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Gold Coast: Drennan (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 2,410 at Fremantle Oval
