Fremantle has won the first game of Australian rules football at the new Optus Stadium with a 13-point win over Collingwood in front of a record 41,975 fans on Saturday night.
The Dockers were led brilliantly by Dana Hooker who had 20 disposals, two goals and six tackles in an inspiring display and Melissa Caulfield who slotted two of her own to help her team over the line in a tough battle in Perth.
“New ground, record crowd, let’s make our fans proud” read the Dockers’ banner to what was the largest ever crowd for a women’s domestic sporting event in Australia.
Yet in the early stages of the game, the Magpies threatened to spoil the occasion.Collingwood got off to a bright start, thanks to Emma King kicking the first goal at the new stadium.
Christina Bernardi joined the party only moments later, slotting home the Magpies second as the away side started to flex early on.
The Dockers, however, finished the quarter strongly, slamming home four unanswered goals for the rest of the half as Hooker caught fire and was too hard to combat for the Pies' midfield who failed to pack a punch.
Collingwood began to fight back in the third quarter and kicked a big goal through Bernardi to keep the Pies within touching distance.
Not long after, the game suddenly turned sour when NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee, Chloe Molloy was caught up in a melee which left her with a bruised jaw and ribs.
Fremantle, were able to respond in the aftermath of the fracas and round out the game to the delight of the home supporters.
Dockers coach, Michelle Cowan was pleased with the overall performance from her players and their ability to stay grounded on such a big stage.
"They were really focused on the four quarters, on coming to play and on preparing really well to play so I’m really proud of them in that regard," she said.
"No doubt, the occasion is an incredible occasion and a really special day for our football club and women’s sport as a whole.” Cowan said.
In contrary, Pies coach, Wayne Siekman was quite shocked with the sudden change in momentum after his side’s hot start.
"I think I’m still trying to work it out with the coaching group," Siekman said. "The players had a really good honest chat when they got in the rooms and hopefully they talked about that.
"Freo lifted and probably went in a little bit harder. We couldn’t quite rise it to the next level and that sort of cost us.”
Fremantle face a tough task in the undefeated Melbourne at Fremantle Oval next week, while Collingwood return to Olympic Park Oval to face the winless Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
FREMANTLE 3.0 4.1 5.3 6.4 (40) COLLINGWOOD 2.0 2.0 3.1 4.3 (27)
GOALS Fremantle: Caulfield 2, Hooker 2, Atkins, Lavell Collingwood: Bernardi 2, King, Lambert
BEST
Fremantle: Hooker, Donnellan, Caulfield
Collingwood: Kuys, Chiocci, Duffin
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