AFLW: Fremantle secures finals berth with victory over GWS Giants, Port Adelaide closes in

Memo AFLW finals — the Dockers are back. After three long years, Fremantle clinched its first top-eight finish since 2021 with a commanding win over GWS Giants.

Ed Bourke

@edbourke6

3 min read

October 26, 2024 - 6:03PM

News Sport Network

AFLW

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Fremantle will feature in the AFLW finals for the first time in three seasons after an 30-point away win over GWS at Henson Park on Saturday.

The Dockers sealed a top-eight spot, and firmed for a home elimination final as Aisling McCarthy flexed her muscles in a superb 22-disposal, three-goal performance.

McCarthy kicked two of her goals in the opening term and racked up nine disposals as her speed and classy finishing proved the difference between the two sides on a blustery afternoon.

Lally on the left ðŸ”¥#AFLWGiantsFreo pic.twitter.com/6eWR5o8EWm
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 26, 2024

Her second goal from a set shot came from a rare interchange infringement penalty against GWS, who appeared to have one too many players on the ground late in the quarter.

Play was halted in the middle, with McCarthy receiving an automatic free kick and 50m penalty as the closest player to the ball in a huge blow to the Giants.

BRAZILL GOES DOWN

The Dockers are placed nicely on the ladder, but will sweat on the fitness of Ash Brazill as an ankle injury threatens further damage to their senior playing stocks.

Already without Aine Tighe (knee) and acting captain Hayley Miller, who again did not play with a persistent calf issue, the Dockers could be without the crucial intercept defender for their final home and away game against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Dockers get around Ari Hetherington after she slots her first AFLW goal ðŸ‘#AFLWGiantsFreo pic.twitter.com/dflbAP8o5W
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 26, 2024

‘FUMBLY’ GIANTS PAY

GWS coach Cam Bernasconi told Fox Footy at quarter-time his players had been too fumbly and had to take a breath after a “chaotic” opening term.

Tarni Evans used her body well against Emma Driscoll for an out-the-back goal against the run of play, but despite Alyce Parker’s tireless grunt work in the middle, the Giants rarely looked threatening to their opponents.

Orlagh Lally made the Giants pay for their inefficiency when she kicked a superb goal off her left boot as she ran towards the boundary in an immediate response to Evans’ goal.

SCOREBOARD

GIANTS 1.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.1 (25)

DOCKERS 3.3, 5.7, 6.8, 7.13 (55)

BEST Giants: Parker, Beeson, Smith, Pease, McCormick, Zreika. Dockers: McCarthy, Lally, Driscoll, East, Newton, Kauffman.

GOALS Giants: Newman 2, Evans, O’Dowd. Dockers: McCarthy 3, Lally 2, Hetherington, Kauffman.

UMPIRES Hughes, Nund, Williams

INJURIES Giants: nil. Dockers: Brazill (ankle).

CROWD 1,335 at Henson Park

Port Adelaide is closing in on a finals berth. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

POWER CLOSES IN ON MAIDEN AFLW FINALS BERTH

— Ed Bourke

Port Adelaide is a whisker away from securing a maiden AFLW finals berth after overpowering a hapless Gold Coast to claim a third interstate win this season.

Gemma Houghton and debutant Jo Miller booted two goals each as the Power kicked away from the Suns after a tense first quarter to claim a 34-point victory at People First Stadium.

A suspected serious knee injury to Daisy D’Arcy in what was meant to be a 50th-game celebration for the Gold Coast star was a shattering blow for the home side midway through the second term.

Daisy D'Arcy has come off the ground following this incident.#AFLWSunsPower pic.twitter.com/WysmGJnUlh
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 26, 2024

D’Arcy had racked up 13 disposals when she burst out of a stoppage at halfback, took a bounce and tried to baulk around Power defender Amelie Borg before she crumpled to the ground in pain.

Teammate Charlie Rowbottom fought valiantly with 25 touches, six clearances and five inside 50s, but the Power were still able to win the clearance battle and made far more of their opportunities in front of goal.

PORT DEBUTANT SHINES

Former triathlete Jo Miller was the final player added to Port Adelaide’s list ahead of this season as an injury replacement pick up for Indy Tahau.

With veteran defender Ange Foley rested from the clash, Miller was handed a debut in her home state, and the dream got better when she was floored following a mark at half-forward and marched to the goal square.

Miller erupted in celebration after putting through the Power’s first goal, and went on to kick another, telling Fox Footy after the siren that the experience had been “absolutely amazing”.

The 25-year-old’s effort will pose a difficult selection call for coach Lauren Arnell ahead of next Sunday’s home clash against GWS.

It's Miller time!

The debutant has kicked âœŒï¸#AFLWSunsPower pic.twitter.com/pyxunngFPF
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 26, 2024

FINALS 90 PER CENT LOADED

Their fixture hasn’t posed the challenges of some other finals contenders, but Port Adelaide had to stare down the round 2 ACL injury to captain Janelle Cuthbertson and won its last two games without star forward Julia Teakle, who could still be a fortnight away with her own knee injury.

Richmond beating Essendon in the Dreamtime game on Saturday night would mean the Power earnt a well-deserved finals berth on percentage, while they would also lock up a spot before next week if the Western Bulldogs beat St Kilda in Ballarat on Sunday.