Fremantle defender Emma O’Driscoll says the team’s first practice match of the pre-season against fellow AFLW competition was exactly what the girls had been waiting for. 

Fremantle defeated cross-town rivals West Coast 44–22 in Saturday’s practice match at Victor George Kailis Oval, with Freo leading at every break. 

Enjoying the majority share of forward-50 entries and clearances of the game, the team showed off some silky skills, moving the ball swiftly from inside the contest to the outside to own field position.

Midfielder Kiara Bowers returned in style, dominating at stoppages and hitting the scoreboard in the first half, before being swamped by teammates in celebration of the returning veteran. 

Fremantle's defence also stood tall, withstanding the vast majority of West Coast’s entries and rebounding sharply to hit on the counterattack. O’Driscoll saying the 24-week lead-in to games against opposition was worth the wait. 

“It was awesome to just be able to go out there and play against some actual opposition,” O’Driscoll said. 

“It’s been really hectic - we’ve hustled and worked super hard as a collective. 

“Obviously, having Lisa (Webb) for another year and seeing her extend her contract has made us girls super pumped. 

“Having another season under her belt and learning all the new bits and pieces with a few new coaches as well, has been unreal. 

“We’ve just got to work and honed in on some fundamentals.” 

Speaking about the performance, O’Driscoll believed it was a collective team effort but couldn’t go without praising original AFLW Docker Hayley Miller, who was a standout on the day. 

Miller enters her 10th season with Fremantle, having played 80 games in purple - the most of any player in Freo’s AFLW history. 

“Hayley Miller kicked three, and her ability to play both high and deep forward has been instrumental to us being a successful team,” O’Driscoll said. 

“She was incredible.

“We are all so confident in each other, and we trust one another to get the job done.” 

Fremantle will now face St Kilda on Saturday 2 August at Victor George Kailis Oval in the Club’s second practice match. 

“It’s just another opportunity to get better. Playing against opposition, you get to play your brand of footy and actually connect with your mids and your forwards which is nice,” O’Driscoll said. 

“Another good hit-out and another different team as well. 

“We played them last year, but it will be good to see how they shape up and how we adapt as the day goes on.”