Dockers win wet Western Derby

Fremantle has continued it's stranglehold over local rival West Coast in the AFL Women's competition, winning a low scoring scrap of a Western Derby in wet conditions at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.

Kiara Bowers again dominated proceedings to be adjudged best afield with 22 disposals (17 contested) as well as seven clearances and a goal, the Dockers winning a second straight AFLW Derby in torrential rain 2.11 (23) to 2.2 (14).

The skilful and fast Dockers were stripped of their attacking game in the conditions but stood up in the contest, winning the clearances 26-20 and the contested ball 120-89.

Beaten by 45 points in the first AFLW Derby in 2020, West Coast was a much-improved unit and sniffed an opportunity late in the final quarter.

The second-year team came up short, however, and was left nursing hand injuries to Niamh Kelly and Andrea Gilmore, who were both sidelined before three-quarter time.

The Dockers, who extended their unbeaten run, were challenged early when the Eagles got the first goal of the match through recruit Aisling McCarthy.

Goals and clean possession were hard to come by throughout the contest, persistent rain falling for the duration of the contest in a match that was played without spectators, after WA emerged from a week of lockdown on Friday with some restrictions still in place until next Sunday.

The tide turned in the second term when Freo won the inside 50s 11-1, but inaccuracy cost the home side as they kicked 1.3 while keeping the Eagles scoreless.

Bowers kicked what proved to be her side's final goal of the game in the third term, West Coast kicking a major early in the last but unable to find a way through a strong Dockers defence for the remainder of the game as Fremantle continued their unbeaten run, which extends all the way back to the start of the 2020 AFLW season.

Eagles midfielder Mikayla Bowen played with poise and skill beyond her years to lift the midfield with a team-high 18 disposals, her side's best player after losing star midfielder and former Docker Dana Hooker for the season in a freak injury sustained at home during the week of lockdown, suffering a lacerated tendon from a knife that dropped on her foot.

Further news on Fremantle and West Coast's ability to travel for future round matches is expected next week.

IMAGE: AFL Women's.