THE DOCTOR by Meggs

Fashionably late

Was it the hour-late team bus, Freo’s win-at-all-costs attitude, or the infamous Fremantle Doctor?

No excuses from coach Mick Stinear—just bitter disappointment in missing out on four premiership points.

Fremantle skipper Ange Stannett won the toss and kicked with the breeze. Her team made full use of the Doctor, slotting four first-quarter goals. Freo brought the heat—and their kicking boots.

Melbourne responded well with goals to Bannan, Pearce and Zanker. Just one point separated the sides at half-time.

At the eight-minute mark of the final quarter, skipper Kate Hore threaded a trademark ripper to give the Dees a one-point lead. Demon hearts were hopeful, and the #DeeArmy’s roar was heard on TV.

Four minutes later, Stannett replied with a classy goal, weaving through defenders. Freo by five. Our second close loss—both away.

Finis certaminis. Match over.

The match.  

Lisa Webb had done her homework—clamping down on Chaplin’s intercepts, sending O’Driscoll to Zanker, and targeting Hanks.

Mim Strom won the ruck battle, but Pearce still found a way to impact, including a goal.

Kiara Bowers (17 tackles, 27 disposals, 9 coaches votes) and Gaby Newton (31 disposals, 10 tackles, 9 votes) were dominant. Tyla Hanks (16 contested disposals, 14 tackles, 5 votes) and Kate Hore (18 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal) fought hard.

Mick rotated the midfield—Fitzy, Maeve, Lize, Harris, Zanker and all had moments.

Eliza McNamara (23 disposals, 439m gained) starred on one wing; Paxman got busy on the other.

Wotherspoon continued her rise (6 tackles, 1 goal).

Melbourne needed the doctor: Giorgia Gall rolled her ankle, and Tayla Harris left the field clutching her ribs. Fingers crossed for both.

Second-quarter surge

After Freo’s blistering start, the Dees lifted with the breeze.We outscored them 3.0 to 0.2, and Hanks and McNamara were relentless, driving the ball forward and applying pressure.

A gutsy, spirited team fightback. A shame we couldn’t go on with the job.

Meggs’ musings

Three games remain. Meggs ran the Ladder Predictor: win one, likely Top 4. Lose all, we could slip to sixth.  How well will we compete against the top 5 teams?

Kate Hore and Jasmine Garner are tied on 96 AFLW career goals. Ponter sits third on 90. The race to 100 is on.

Run home:

• Melbourne – Swans, Cats, Lions

• Hawthorn – Power, Bombers, Kangaroos

We’ve dropped to third. Need to win one more than the Hawks to reclaim second.

Coaches and Next Week

Mick Stinear: “Freo brought greater intensity. We got a lesson today.” No excuses for the late bus.

Lisa Webb praised her side’s first-quarter pressure and Gaby O’Sullivan’s shutdown job on Zanker.

Next week: Sydney at Casey Fields, Saturday 1:05pm.

Our first-ever clash against the Swans for premiership points. It’s Pride Round—plenty of reasons to show up at the Field of Dreams.

The team will run out in the bespoke pride guernsey.

Go Dees.

MELBOURNE 1.1.7 4.1.25 4.4.28 5.5.35

FREMANTLE 4.0.24 4.2.26 5.4.34 6.4.40

GOALS 
MELBOURNE Bannan, Hore, Pearce, Wotherspoon, Zanker 

FREMANTLE Brisbane, Kikoak, McCarthy, Pugh, Stannett, Tighe 

BEST  

MELBOURNE Hanks, McNamara, Goldrick, Hore, Zanker, Paxman 

FREMANTLE Bowers, Newton, McCarthy, Miller, Strom, Stannett 

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Gall (ankle) 

FREMANTLE Tighe (knee soreness)  

CROWD 2,137 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval