AFLW finals: How Fremantle can overcome one of AFLW’s toughest challenges: Adelaide’s midfield

It’s one of the AFLW’s most daunting road trips but the Dockers have nothing to lose. ELIZA REILLY breaks down Fremantle’s blueprint to beat Adelaide and progress to a preliminary final.

If most AFLW games are won and lost in the midfield, the Dockers will need to recover from a round two belting around the ball if they are to compete against the Crows on Saturday.

In what was undoubtedly Fremantle’s worst performance this season, the Dockers failed to kick a goal in a 33-point defeat at the hands of Adelaide. And it could’ve been worse if the Crows had made the most of their opportunities.

At the opening bounce, Fremantle started with a midfield combination of Aisling McCarthy, Dana East and Hayley Miller. At full-time, the trio finished with 15, 10 and 12 disposals respectively.

Collectively, that amounts to 37 disposals, 11 clearances and 15 tackles. It took just two Crows to have more influence.

Adelaide’s two prime movers Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard were outstanding, combing for 59 disposals, 12 clearances and 23 tackles. Marinoff stuffed her stats sheet with game-high figures for disposals (30) and tackles (18) while Hatchard led all-comers for clearances (8).

Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard have formed one of the most fearsome centre square duos in the competition. Picture: Kelly Barnes

While clearances finished on an even keel (26-25), Fremantle lost inside 50s 36-23, failing to kick a major even with Aine Tighe at their disposal.

The opposition may be the same but the Dockers have evolved significantly since then.

McCarthy has emerged as one of the recruits of the year and leads Fremantle’s season goalkicking tally from the midfield. Former No.1 draft pick Gabby Newton has been shifted on-ball and is the perfect blend of brute and class, doing maximum damage with each possession while applying plenty of physical pressure.

Mim Strom isn’t just in the conversation as the best ruck in the AFLW. She might just be a top-five player in the competition. Between her and upcoming opponent Jess Allan, the pair collectively hold the top six best hitout tallies in the history of the AFLW after Strom broke her own record with 55 against Essendon.

Mim Strom is one of the best players in the competition. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Aisling McCarthy has been a star in the midfield. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“Contest is queen as it is every week,” Fremantle coach Lisa Webb said. “It’s an area of our game we continue to work on.

“They’re pretty elite, to be honest. That consistency across all three lines is something that’s going to be important for us. The last time we played them, our mids were beaten.

“I think it’ll come down to the midfield battle but to be honest with you, their ability to win it all over the ground is a concern. But we’re a much better team than we were in round two.”

Webb has conceded that the Dockers will have to prepare for recently crowned AFL Coaches Association MVP Marinoff to be at her best.

“I don’t think you can stop her,” she said. She’s got impressive numbers.

“She’s a high metres gained player. We’ve gone up against other teams with the same like Alyce Parker (GWS) so it’s about mitigating part of that.

“That’ll be a challenge for us but she’s also got a challenge in some of our midfielders.”

If Fremantle can get on top in the midfield, the bigger challenge will be converting that ascendancy into scores.

The Dockers dominated large chunks of the game against Essendon but could only capitalise on rushed turnovers. There were several occasions where Fremantle won the ball but had no one to kick it to or bombed it in long to a contest.

Crows defenders Zoe Prowse and Chelsea Biddell won’t be so kind on Saturday at Norwood Oval, one of the narrowest grounds in the competition.

“It’s a massive factor of the game…making sure we have structure in front of the footy will be crucial for us,” Webb said. “I thought last time, they were able to sit off and bounce too easy on us.

“As a team, we need to make sure we’re right on task as well. Leaving goals out there is one of those things.

“Our mids are getting on top. Our inside 50 connection is certainly improving. Our forward structure is certainly improving. But you want to be at the top of your game. They’re not going to give you too many opportunities so you need to make sure that you take them.”

Danielle Ponter and the Crows will be looking to bounce back from a loss to North Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Fremantle is confident that Ash Brazill will return after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. The veteran defender has spent a lot of time in a moon boot but Webb said it was a “protective mechanism.”

“She’s definitely on track,” Webb said. “She’ll train tomorrow. She’ll be a test for this week.”

Brazill is an option to play on Adelaide spearhead Caitlin Gould as is Emma O’Driscoll and Madeleine Scanlon.

Small forward Amy Mulholland has been ruled out with concussion after landing heavily from a marking contest in the fourth quarter. Mikayla Morrison and Makaela Tuhakaraina loom as like-for-like replacements but the Dockers could also turn to tall forward Ari Hetherington or defender Jo Cregg.

Originally published as AFLW finals: How Fremantle can overcome one of AFLW’s toughest challenges: Adelaide’s midfield