A spirited second half from the West Coast Eagles couldn’t get them over the line in the seventh RAC Derby, falling to the Fremantle Dockers by 23 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
The Eagles were held goalless in the opening half for the second time this season and couldn't take their chances thereafter as the Dockers prevailed 5.5 (35) to 1.6 (12), keeping touch with the top four while all but ending their opponents' finals chances.
It was an entertaining Derby 7 marked by pressure and bursts of skill, and it could have been closer if the Eagles capitalised on chances through the middle stages of the game.
They were ultimately outclassed, however, by an even Fremantle team that is now 7-0 in AFLW Derbies and still in the hunt this season after steadying its season at 6-3 following back-to-back defeats at home.
Ruck Mim Strom was outstanding in a dominant performance, finishing with a massive 48 hitouts and 15 disposals to win the Derby Medal, while star recruit Aisling McCarthy (20 and a goal) was terrific against her former team.
West Coast midfielder Bella Lewis (26 and seven clearances) was the Eagles' driving force but ultimately lacked enough sidekicks as the Dockers' weight of numbers won out.
Both teams played with an early intensity that reflected the importance of the match, but the Dockers were cleaner and more switched on when they had the ball as McCarthy and Gabby Biedenweg-Webster kicked excellent early goals.
Dana East made it three straight when she took advantage inside 50, giving the Dockers their best first quarter of the season and a 16-point lead at the first break.
The Eagles had chances, with Ella Roberts missing two set shots after strong contested marks, while Mikayla Western was unable to capitalise when streaming towards goal after some slick play.
Biedenweg-Webster, who signed as a replacement player for injured Fremantle captain Ange Stannett, kicked her second goal late in the quarter to make it a 23-point lead at half time, with a big task ahead of the Eagles.
West Coast chipped away in the third, holding the Dockers at bay when they had momentum before pushing forward and striking through Amy Franklin, with Lewis elevating through the quarter to keep her team in the game.
Trailing by 16 at the final change, the Eagles needed to act quickly but couldn't break through the Dockers' defence, with Freo midfielder Orlagh Lally settling things late when she snapped accurately.
WEST COAST 0.2 0.4 1.5 1.6 (12)
FREMANTLE 3.0 4.3 4.3 5.5 (35)
GOALS
West Coast: Franklin
Fremantle: Biedenweg-Webster 2, East, Lally, McCarthy
BEST
West Coast: Lewis, Drennan, Wakfer, Thomas, Swanson, Roberts
Fremantle: Strom, McCarthy, Newton, O'Driscoll, Biedenweg-Webster, East, Scanlon
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Hayley Miller (calf) replaced in the selected side by Jae Flynn
Crowd: 6,047 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium
