Midfield gun Aish McCarthy spoke following Fremantle’s 22-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon and praised her teammates for a huge final quarter boost, where a tight five-point margin became a convincing win.

“We knew Port were going to be a highly contested team and it was definitely an arm wrestle, but it opened up for us in the end,” McCarthy said.

“The girls took their opportunities, and it was a really good win in the end.

McCarthy touched on the side’s focus heading into the final quarter, aiming to be composed and clean around the football.

“(We needed) to win around the clearances, win around the footy and give our forwards something to work with,” McCarthy said.

“I think when we give them the opportunity and good ball in there, they get to work, and that’s exactly what they did in that last quarter.”

Two stars made their return since 2023, in Kiara Bowers and captain Ange Stannett, both having impressive performances.

Bowers amassed 22 disposals, six clearances, and finished with 14 tackles for the match, while Stannett booted two majors in the first half, and wowed the crowd with her repeat-effort smothers over the ball.

“They’re two amazing players, leaders and people,” McCarthy said on Stannett and Bowers.

“They had their moments today – I thought Turbo was incredible around the ball and put her body on the line.

“Ange as well – two goals in the first half, and I think she had about 3000 smothers as well at one point.

“She’s a real trademark player and lifts everyone around her, so it was brilliant to have those two back.”

Forward/midfielder Hayley Miller was cool, calm and collected for the forward line, booting three goals for the match and solidifying herself as a target.

“Hayley’s really embraced that role this year, playing deep in the forward line and she’s really hard to stop,” McCarthy said.

“She’s good in the air and is fast and she got her opportunities today and took them.

“I think she’s a really important player for us and her role this year will be integral for us.”

McCarthy also praised her backline teammates, who held up strong, keeping Port to three majors for the game.

“The backline are one of the most connected groups on our team and it’s so inspiring to see them come and attack the footy,” McCarthy said.

“Everyone had their moments, and seeing them all run off half-back, it just gives you a bit more energy and they really clamped down on their players.”

Fremantle will host their first home game of the season in Round 2, facing the Brisbane Lions, and McCarthy encouraged the Freo Family to get down to Fremantle Oval to show their support.

“Great to head home to Freo Oval and play Round 2 against the Lions - we just want all the supporters to get out and really hear them to cheer us on,”

“What better challenge than to play a top side in Brisbane, so we’re really looking forward to it.”