Walyalup (Fremantle) Dockers defeat Western Bulldogs in final game of AFLW home and away season

Walyalup (Fremantle) will host a home elimination final next week on the back of a three-game winning streak following a gritty 14-point victory over the in-form Western Bulldogs.

The Dockers had already sewn up fifth spot heading into Sunday’s clash at Fremantle Oval but continued their strong form as they got the job done against last year’s wooden spooners, 4.11 (35) to 3.3 (21).

Star ruck Mim Strom put the exclamation point on her case for a maiden All-Australian blazer with a game-high 30 disposals, 30 hit outs, eight clearances and nine marks up against Dogs star Alice Edmonds.

Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy also continued her brilliant form, notching up 29 touches, eight clearances and six tackles as Walyalup dominated around the contest.

The Dockers will now return to the harbourside city next week to host Essendon in a knockout clash on Saturday afternoon, their first home final since 2020.

“Delighted for our fans, who have just been incredible and for the girls to stay home and have a week at home and then launch into finals, we know it starts from zero again, so that’s really exciting,” coach Lisa Webb said.

“We haven’t been there for a few years and it’s reward for effort for this group, they’ve been a really special group.”

Hayley Miller copped a knock to her leg after three weeks on the sidelines with a calf complaint but managed to play out the game after getting it re-strapped.

Webb said she was an important inclusion following an ankle injury to star defender Ash Brazill.

“It was so good to have her back, especially as a leader with Braz being out as well,” Webb said.

“She’s really important for us. We predominantly played her forward but she’ll only continue to build now.”

Despite still sporting a moon boot on Sunday, Webb was hopeful Brazill would be fit to face the Bombers.

“I’m really confident she will be (available). Obviously, we’ve got to through the next six days but I’m confident.”

Coming off back-to-back victories, the Dogs brought intensity early, kicking the first two goals of the game with the wind as opportunities went begging for the home side.

Despite leading the inside 50s 10-5 in the opening term, the Dockers failed to capitalise on the back of poor entries and were held goalless to trail the visitors by 10 points at the first break.

Former No.1 pick Gabby Newton was busy early, notching up 10 touches against her old side in the first term before the Dogs clamped down on her.

McCarthy and Strom stepped up in the second term as Ebony Antionio got boot to ball to deliver Walyalup’s first.

Tunisha Kikoak was the beneficiary of a perfectly weighted pass by Megan Kauffman as the Dockers took the lead for the first time and held that six-point advantage until half time.

In their final game of the season, the Dogs would not lie down and kicked the opening goal of the second half to snatch the lead back before an immediate response from Kauffman.

In a fast start to the final term, the Dockers dominated possession with Amy Mulholland scoring before the Dogs could get their hands on the ball.

Fremantle remained in control for the remainder of the contest but their inaccuracy woes continued.

SCOREBOARD

FREMANTLE 0.3, 2.7,3.8, 4.11 (35)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1, 2.1, 3.3, 3.3 (21)

Goals - FREMANTLE: E Antonio T Kikoak M Kauffman A Mulholland WESTERN BULLDOGS: H Woodley I Pritchard S Hartwig

Best - FREMANTLE: M Strom A McCarthy G Newton D East M Kauffman WESTERN BULLDOGS: I Pritchard I Grant J Fitzgerald M Gorham

Injuries - FREMANTLE: Nil WESTERN BULLDOGS: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Fremantle Community Oval.