West Coast fall just short of first AFLW derby victory as Fremantle cling on in desperate final quarter

The West Coast Eagles fell agonisingly short of their first AFLW win, as Fremantle held on by three points in a thrilling finish at Optus Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Great Southern duo Belinda Smith and Sophie McDonald were in the thick of the action late in the final quarter as the Eagles did their best to defeat the Dockers for the first time in AFLW history. The Eagles kicked the only goal of the final term and the Dockers repeatedly pumped the ball inside 50 where Albany’s McDonald and Pingrup’s Smith did their best to repel on several occasions. The Dockers managed four behinds in the final stanza and it was enough to cling on for a narrow win, 3.8 (26) to 3.5 (23), in round five. Smith spent plenty of time around the stoppages, as she shadowed star Docker Kiara Bowers. Bowers was sent forward but pushed up into the middle of the ground to try to help the Dockers get back on top of the clearances after a strong opening half from the Eagles, who led by three points at the main break. Bowers laid a game-high 18 tackles to go with her 17 possessions and despite her efforts, Smith was still one of the Eagles’ best contributors. Smith was outstanding in a losing affair as she collected 17 touches, three marks and laid three tackles. McDonald played her part as a key defender, gathering five possessions, three marks and laying three tackles. The pair were part of a defensive unit that conceded only three goals and held up strongly in the final term, in the closest derby in AFLW history. Dockers captain Hayley Miller was unanimously awarded the best-on-ground medal, winning a game-high 26 disposals and eight clearances. The Eagles will tackle Hawthorn this Sunday in round six.