Collingwood proved too strong for Fremantle in a 21-point win at Victoria Park on Sunday, getting their first win on the board for AFLW season 2023.

The Pies appeared to be a step ahead of Fremantle for significant patches of the 7.4 (46) to 3.7 (25) victory, as Freo continue to adjust in just their second game under new coach Lisa Webb.

Freo pushed hard in the final term and held the Pies scoreless, but having gone into the last break 37 points down had left themselves with too much work to do, with inaccuracy (2.4) also costing them.

The game was congested early, with a lot of numbers around the footy and very few free passages of play.

Fremantle's forwards weren't afforded many good looks in during the first quarter, as Collingwood recruit Nell Morris-Dalton kicked two goals while the visitors had just two inside 50s.

Ebony Antonio got the visitors on the board four minutes into the second quarter, dodging around a Pies defender to kick truly, but Fremantle didn't break through for another until Ange Stannett converted in the opening minute of the last term.

It was the defender-turned-forward's first AFLW goal, coming in her 49th game.

Fremantle superstar Kiara Bowers didn't look like she'd missed a beat in her first game of the season, having missed round one with knee soreness, finishing with 23 disposals and 18 tackles.

Last week it was Laura Pugh who took control of Fremantle's defence, and in round two it was Emma O'Driscoll's turn to shine, repelling numerous entries in an under-the-pump defence and recording 14 intercepts.

Collingwood continued to ramp up the pressure, winning the ball around the contest thanks to the midfield trio of Aishling Sheridan, Brit Bonnici and Bri Davey, who found some connection with their new-look forward line.

It led to adding another 3.2 in the third quarter while the Fremantle struggled to get it past the halfway point, remaining scoreless in the term.

Integral Freo midfielder Gabby O'Sullivan dislocated her shoulder early in the first quarter and did not return, while Pies tall Imogen Barnett suffered a left ankle injury in a tackle late in the second.

The return of the tackling queen
Bowers threw AFLW Fantasy teams into chaos with her late withdrawal last week, but the week off did her the world of good, returning with a bang against Collingwood. The 2021 AFLW best and fairest laid 14 of Fremantle's 47 tackles to half-time, and slowed somewhat as the Freo started winning some footy, finishing with 18. There were no signs of needing to ease into the season, either, playing 89 per cent game time.

Up next
Fremantle will be back in familiar territory, hosting Hawthorn at Fremantle Oval on Saturday afternoon.
 
 
COLLINGWOOD     3.1     4.3     7.4     7.4     (46)
FREMANTLE           0.0     1.3     1.3     3.7     (25) 

GOALS
Collingwood: Morris-Dalton 2, Rowe, Morris, Campbell, Davey, Frederick
Fremantle: Antonio, Stannett, Lally 

BEST
Collingwood: Sheridan, Davey, Bonnici, Rowe, Sansonetti
Fremantle: Bowers, O'Driscoll, Miller, Stannett, Strom 

INJURIES
Collingwood: Barnett (ankle)
Fremantle: O'Sullivan (shoulder)