GWS Giants still alive in AFLW but Fremantle in big hole

GREATERN Western Sydney is still an outside chance to make the AFLW grand final but Fremantle’s premiership hopes are all but over.

AAP

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March 3, 2018 - 8:20PM

The Giants celebrate their win over the Dockers. Picture: AAP

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FREMANTLE’S AFLW premiership hopes are all but over after it suffered an 18-point loss to GWS Giants at Fremantle Oval.

The Giants booted four consecutive goals from late in the first quarter to early in the third term to set up the 6.3 (39) to 3.3 (21) win in front of 2571 fans.

The loss leaves the Dockers a win and significant percentage adrift of second spot with only two rounds remaining in the season.

The top two sides will play off in a grand final.

The Giants (two wins, one draw, two losses) moved into fourth spot, but they will probably need to win their last two games, against the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions, to have any chance of reaching the decider.

Greater Western Sydney’s Nicola Barr tries to break away from a tackle. Picture: AAP

The first quarter was a hard-fought affair as both sides battled hard for field position.

Scores were locked at a goal apiece, before a special crumb and snap from Cora Staunton gave the Giants a six-point lead at the first break.

It wasn’t always easy to get on the scoresheet, with Giants forward Aimee Schmidt left looking for a hole to hide in after missing an open goal from close range early in the second quarter.

But GWS capitalised on other chances to kick the only two goals of the term and take a 17-point lead into halftime.

The game was effectively over approaching three-quarter time when key forward Jacinda Barclay scored after taking a strong pack mark to give the Giants a 24-point lead.

A short time later, Fremantle’s Amy Lavell slammed a 20m set shot into the post, wasting a golden chance to inspire a comeback.