Bowers goes turbo as Dockers pip Demons in thriller
Justin Chadwick |
Kiara ‘Turbo’ Bowers has produced a herculean fourth-quarter effort to lift Fremantle to a thrilling five-point AFLW victory over Melbourne in Perth.
The Dockers kicked the first three goals of Sunday’s match at Fremantle Oval but were on the back foot for long periods after that as the Demons hit back hard.
Melbourne led by a point when Kate Hore snapped a goal with nine minutes remaining, but a major on the run from Ange Stannett proved the winning moment for Fremantle as they held on for the 6.4 (40) to 5.5 (35) triumph.
Dockers star Bowers was the pivotal figure in the match, racking up 14 disposals in the fourth quarter alone to ensure Melbourne left Perth empty handed.
Bowers finished with 27 disposals, 17 tackles and four tackles, while Gabby Newton (29 disposals) and Aisling McCarthy (29 possessions, five clearances, one goal) were also huge.
Fremantle (4-5) kept their slight finals hopes alive with arguably their gutsiest display of the season, while Melbourne (7-2) slipped to third on the ladder.
Dockers forward Aine Tighe, playing her first match since recovering from a third knee reconstruction, kicked a team-lifting goal in the third quarter but was taken out of the game a short time later with knee soreness.
Melbourne lost Georgia Gall to a painful right ankle injury early in the match, while Demons star Tayla Harris was cleaned up in the dying moments when she collected by Mim Strom as the Fremantle ruck reached out after a ground ball.
The Dockers stunned Melbourne early with goals to McCarthy, Georgie Brisbane and Laura Pugh, giving the home side an 18-0 lead inside 12 minutes.
Ryleigh Wotherspoon settled the Demons with a close-range goal, but Fremantle headed to quarter-time with all the momentum after Tunisha Kikoak kicked truly after catching an opponent holding the ball.
Melbourne kicked three goals to none in the second quarter to turn momentum their way, with Alyssa Bannan’s goal on the run sparking the visitors.
Fremantle nursed a one-point lead at halftime and were on the back foot for long periods of the third quarter.
Melbourne blew a series of good chances, and were made to pay at the other end when Tighe kicked the only goal of the term.
That gave Fremantle a five-point edge heading into a last quarter which became a war of attrition in the hot conditions.
Bowers stood up the tallest, but there were also crucial marks deep in defence from Brisbane and Ash Brazill in the last two minutes that helped Fremantle seal the win.
Elizabeth McNamara led the way for Melbourne with 23 disposals and 435m gained.
AAP
