DETAILS: Fremantle v Melbourne
DATE: Sunday 2 October
TIME: 3:10pm (AEDT) | 12:10pm (local)
LOCATION: Fremantle Community Bank Oval
BROADCAST: Seven Network, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports and womens.afl
GAME DAY GUIDE: Available here
TICKETS: Available here
LAST TIME WE MET: Round 9, S6 | Fremantle v Melbourne | Optus Stadium
When these two sides last met, it was a day that will forever be etched in the AFLW history books. The Demons travelled to Optus Stadium to face the Dockers and smashed multiple league records including the highest score registered by an AFLW side and the highest score registered by an AFLW side in a single quarter.
The home team went into the Round 9 game with depleted stocks due to players entering health and safety protocols, meaning Melbourne had the upper hand from the first bounce. The opening half saw the Demons control the contest in a relative manner but it wasn't until the third quarter that they really kicked into gear. Seven goals were slotted by the Dees during the term, three of which went to captain Daisy Pearce, who dominated the forward line, finishing with five majors.
Tyla Hanks, Lily Mithen and Karen Paxman were hot at the contest, while Tayla Harris and Kate Hore also had their bite of the apple in front of goals. The four-quarter effort from the Dees set them up for a record-breaking win, sealing the victory at 16.11 (107) to 3.1 (19).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Melbourne
Tayla Harris
Harris, an obvious star of Melbourne’s forward line, will head into Sunday’s game off the back of a stellar display in her side’s 42-point win over Carlton in Round 5. Harris was sidelined for one week with suspension, but returned with a bang, kicking three goals and continuing her dominance in the aerial contest (currently topping the league in average contested marks).
When Harris faced the Dockers in Round 9 last season, she kicked three goals and was instrumental in Melbourne’s dominant win. The tall forward will be looking to repeat that performance on Sunday.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Fremantle
Hayley Miller
The Fremantle skipper has continued to be a strong leader on and off the field this season, with a consistency in her form that has been a noticeable factor each week for the Dockers. The midfielder is averaging 18 disposals per game, the highest among the Fremantle side, and has featured in the team’s best afield in all five matches this season.
Fremantle will be preparing for a battle in the contest with Melbourne’s engine room filled with the likes of Eliza West, Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks. Miller will be leading the charge in the Dockers’ efforts to match this group and will bring her determination and competitiveness to the table.
