Dockers third after big win against reigning premiers

Denmark’s Parris Laurie and her Fremantle Dockers are in the mix to play in the AFLW finals after an impressive 18-point win over reigning premiers Western Bulldogs at Fremantle Oval on Sunday.

The Dockers bounced back from their first loss of the 2019 season with a solid four-quarter performance to win their third game of the season, which leaves them in third place on the conference A standings with two regular rounds remaining.

Adelaide and North Melbourne sit ahead of the Dockers by only percentage in conference A, all with a 4-1 win-loss record.

Laurie finished with eight disposals in the victory as she continues to impress in the ruck during her debut AFLW season.

The Dockers face Geelong and then the Kangaroos in their final two games as they attempt to finish in the top two and play finals.

The 178cm Laurie averages nine disposals at 70 per cent efficiency across five matches this year.

Western Bulldogs’ Belinda Smith, who hails from Pingrup, has had her season ended because of injury.

Smith ruptured her left Achilles tendon during a VFLW practice match last week and underwent surgery last Tuesday, ruling her out for at least four months.

The 23-year-old joined the Bulldogs this season after spending two years with the Dockers and played in the first three games of 2019 before being dropped.