AFLW 2023: Fremantle v Collingwood pre-season clash, Five things we learnt

Fremantle pulled the trigger on an shock positional switch, while a draftee had a big say against Collingwood. ELIZA REILLY reveals the five things we learnt from the Dockers’ pre-season clash.

Joanne Cregg and Megan Kauffman celebrate a goal. Pic: Fremantle FC

Fremantle survived a late score from Collingwood to secure a 4.7 (31) to 4.6 (30) win in the Dockers’ final pre-season clash.

After weathering a Magpies storm in the first quarter, the Dockers kicked the opening goal of the game through Megan Kauffman. And a strong third term gave Fremantle a valuable lead before Collingwood hit back in the final quarter and had the chance to go ahead with a late set shot from Tarni Brown that went out on the full.

Fremantle’s midfield depth impressed but the Dockers ultimately let a few chances go begging.

Here are the five things we learnt.

Joanne Cregg and Megan Kauffman celebrate a goal. Pic: Fremantle FC

1. STANNETT THE FORWARD

Ange Stannett should be an All-Australian defender by now after years of consistent performances. They call her smother Teresa such is Stannett’s appetite for those all-important defensive acts. But new coach Lisa Webb’s desire to foster flexibility has seen Stannett take on a new role for the Dockers in attack. The thinking is sound given it was Aine Tighe then daylight when it came to Fremantle’s leading goalkickers last year, the Dockers lacking a reliable crumbing small. Against Collingwood, Stannett spent the entire four quarters up forward, sitting at the feet of Aine Tighe and Sarah Wielstra. While Stannett didn’t score nor have a massive impact, it’s a move worth persisting with given Fremantle’s defence stood tall in her absence until the final term.

2. KIDS MAKING A MARK

The last AFLW supplementary draft was designed as a top-up measure for clubs as the league sought to reset the draft age. But the Dockers may have found a few diamonds in the rough. Tahleah Mulder played her first unofficial game for Fremantle and looks to be the pick of the bunch. Drafted after just four senior games at South Fremantle, Mulder was composed in traffic and made some really good decisions with the ball in hand. Her overheard marking was also strong. Jae Flynn also got her first unofficial run in purple and played mostly in defence. She used her body well in a couple of marking contests to take intercept marks. And Joanne Cregg, the Irish recruit from Subiaco, had some darting runs on the wing but the highlight was a powerful charge inside 50 that resulted in a goal. All three look to be firmly in round one contention.

Hayley Miller had a strong game in the midfield. Pic: Fremantle FC

3. TWO MIDS SHINE

Gabby O’Sullivan and Hayley Miller both had injury-impacted seasons in 2022. But with injury behind them this pre-season, the pair look back to their season seven best. O’Sullivan was impressive in the midfield. Her confidence got a boost early when she stepped around her opponent and found a target inside 50. And O’Sullivan only grew from there, taking several strong marks and getting first hands on the ball around the contest. Miller also appears to be on the verge of her All-Australian season six form, kicking two goals and proving a reliable contested ball winner around the ground after overcoming a minor pre-season calf setback.

Gabby O'Sullivan cuts through traffic after an injury-interrupted season seven. Pic: Fremantle FC

4. BATTLE FOR ROUND ONE SPOTS

It’s set to be an intriguing round one selection fight at Fremantle with several players still to return from injury. Key defenders Emma O’Driscoll (leg laceration) and Laura Pugh (wrist) are walk-up starts if fit for round one as is veteran Ebony Antonio. And Fremantle were permitted to name a 24-player squad but Nikki Nield and Emmelie Fiedler didn’t play any minutes and Makaela Tuhakaraina came on very late. Phil Seth is the only player set to be unavailable in round one, giving Lisa Webb plenty of selection headaches.

Fremantle got a narrow one point win over Collingwood. Pic: Fremantle FC

5. COLLINGWOOD MIDFIELD PUZZLE

The departures of Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert has opened up opportunity at Collingwood this pre-season but the club’s midfield mix is taking shape. Mikala Cann has been a strong AFLW midfielder for years now and looks set to continue her build, covering the ground well and getting busy at the contest. But Tarni Brown was one of Collingwood’s strong performers, finding plenty of footy around the ground and pushing forward to produce scoring opportunities. Tarni White was also solid in her first unofficial hitout for the Magpies.

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Fremantle v Collingwood pre-season clash, Five things we learnt