Fremantle draftee Georgie Brisbane says the Club’s dominant 48-point win over the Bombers was driven by a strong, connected performance, highlighted by four first-time Freo goalkickers.
Speaking post-match, Brisbane said kicking her first goal was a dream come true.
“The work that we’ve put in at training this week, to be really team-oriented, and to come off the ground with that win just feels amazing.
“Finally (first AFLW goal) got there… honestly, when I took the mark and looked down at my feet, I saw that I was in the goal square and I said to myself, ‘I can’t miss this one.’
“I was just super excited. As soon as the ball left my boot, the cheering and getting my teammates around me was really cool.
“It felt so surreal honestly.”
Poppy Stockwell was sandwiched between two defenders when Mim Strom's high kick came down close to the goal line, but the debutant showed her class, taking a clever contested mark in the third quarter and converting her first AFLW career goal with her very first kick.
Tilly Banfield followed soon after, using her dashing pace to break away from her opponent in the fourth quarter, keeping the ball alive before soccering through her first AFLW goal.
“It was so cool to be a first goalkicker alongside those two as well,” Brisbane said.
“They’ve worked so hard on their craft… kicking goals from every pocket at training, so to have them both pull it off today was really special.”
Although not a debutant, or even a first-year player anymore, midfielder Gabby Newton joined the party of goalkickers, snagging her first Club goal since joining Fremantle.
Brisbane said Newton’s influence is something she cherishes.
“She’s so inspirational, Gabby,” Brisbane said.
“Seeing her work on and off the field and to be able to play alongside her is something I’ll really cherish.
“To be alongside her when she kicks her first goal in the purple was so special.”
Touching on two of the side’s more experienced operators in Kiara Bowers and Aisling McCarthy, Brisbane said the pair lead from the front week in, week out.
Bowers was sensational throughout the day, laying a massive 21 tackles - just one short of her own record of 22 - and racking up 22 disposals and 13 contested possessions.
McCarthy followed suit and set the tone early with two brilliant goals in quick succession - one on her left foot and one on her right - finishing the day with 24 disposals and eight inside 50s.
“I can’t really put it into words… like I said for Gabby, she (Bowers) is so inspirational,” Brisbane said.
“Watching Turbo - she just sets the standard and drives it every single day at training and on game day.
“To see her grit and determination on the field… it’s something we can all take into our games as well.
“She’s amazing (McCarthy). That’s typical 'Smash' - she’s a ball magnet and is so consistent.
“You see her before games practising left-foot snaps from the pocket.
“For her to pull it off in the game as well is typical Smash. She’s incredible.”
Fremantle will feature on the Grand Final Eve public holiday, travelling to take on Carlton at Ikon Park, with the game starting at 5:05pm AEST.
Turbo = insanely good.#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/hE5rbxkQvW
— Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersAFLW) September 20, 2025