Fremantle’s AFLW team received the match practice they needed against Adelaide going down by 20 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

Coach Trent Cooper was pleased with his team who fought it out during the 5.8 (38) to 9.4 (58) loss. 

Adelaide started the game faster than Freo but soon took back the momentum after clever goals to Ebony Antonio and Gemma Houghton.

 

Fremantle’s forward line were challenged all night but Cooper believes it was a great learning curve.

“It was exactly what we needed,” Cooper said.

“At training things can go smoothly and tonight we really got challenged, as we hoped we would.”

Houghton and Antonio kicked two goals each as the new look forward line continued to develop this pre-season.

 

“It’s a great learning for them because they’ve been connecting so well at training and in the games that we’ve had,” Cooper said.

“It didn’t happen for them tonight and they lost their way a bit and what they expect each other to do.

“It was good that they fought back in the last half with more cohesion and more determination to keep the ball in their area when things weren’t going their way.”

Fremantle trailed by 10 points at the half and after three quick goals from the Crows after the main break the Freo Dockers fought hard but were unable to convert on the scoreboard, kicking 2.4 to Adelaide’s 4.2.

First year players Angelique Stannett and Parris Laurie both impressed on their first official pre-season match. Stannett who has made the change from soccer to AFL also caught the eye of Cooper.
 
“We brought all but one of our 11 new players to give them a taste,” Cooper said.

“I think ‘Ang’ was great down in defence. It was actually her second ever game of football.

“So for her to play as good as she did in the backline and be discipline and stick to the game plan, I was wrapped with her game.” 

Fremantle will have next weekend off before their round one clash with Melbourne in a fortnight on Sunday 3 February at Casey Fields.