A serious case of ‘finals fever’ has spread across Fremantle’s AFLW side after an incredible win against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
The win will see Fremantle compete in a preliminary final against Adelaide after missing out on their 2020 Preliminary Final when the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Midfielder Gabby O’Sullivan was rapt with the result and is now ready to take on Adelaide in the next round of finals footy.
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“It’s always good to win one of those do-or-die finals games.” said O’Sullivan.
“We weren’t ready to be done yet so I’m exceptionally proud of all the girls today.
“We should’ve had one [Preliminary Final] in 2020, but something bigger happened in the world and now we take on Adelaide who we probably just fell short of a couple of weeks ago.
“We know that if we play our footy like we did today, we’ll give ourselves a good chance to run over the top of them.”
The midfielder is one of Fremantle’s most experienced players and her impressive performances on field (18 disposals, six clearances) continue to show us she’s one to watch out for.
“To be honest I probably just got on the end of some great ball movement from our other players and got lucky in a few areas,” said O’Sullivan.
“I felt like I took my opportunities when they came up, but again we had ‘JC’ [Janelle Cuthbertson] back and the other girls lifted as well so it was phenomenal to get that win.”
Similarly, Mikayla Hyde has proven herself to be a rising star in the forward line kicking two goals during Saturday’s match.
“She’s a little opportunist as well so it’s great to have those little goal sneaks running amuck down there, it really causes some trouble for the opposition,” said O’Sullivan.
Key defender Janelle Cuthbertson came back firing in her first appearance since round two of the 2022 AFLW season after six weeks on the sidelines with a fractured jaw.
“I think everyone forgets how good she is, our backline itself are very, very good but 12 intercept marks and just her presence,” said O’Sullivan.
“She’s so strong and a great leader, a great person to have on the field, and I’m absolutely ecstatic that she could come back.”
Meanwhile, the versatile Aine Tighe continued to show her flexibility on the field as a player ahead of the Preliminary Final.
“She [Tighe] can flip front, back, ruck, she’s an ultimate utility player she likes to be known as,” said O’Sullivan.
As Fremantle move one step closer to their Grand Final dream, skipper Hayley Miller’s ‘finals fever’ is starting to spread.
“She caught a serious case of finals fever, she’s had it all season,” said O’Sullivan.
“She’s got some new ‘speccy’ boots so they’re giving her an extra edge as well, but she piggy backs everyone and lifts everyone around her.
“Finals footy is something else and when we play our best footy, we know that we can match it with the best."
