Fremantle coach Trent Cooper bullishly believes his red-hot team is an AFLW premiership contender but concedes the Dockers will need to power through a daunting upcoming schedule to emerge from a loaded Conference A.
The Dockers continued their unbeaten start to the season with a convincing 7.9 (51) to 2.6 (18) victory over winless Collingwood Magpies at a blustery Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
A competition minnow previously, the Dockers have flourished under new coach Cooper’s high-octane game plan to sit behind premiership favourites North Melbourne in Conference A.
The Dockers showcased their attacking prowess with precise ball movement and blistering foot speed to overwhelm the sluggish Magpies in a one-sided first half.
The home side led by 31 points at the long break before cruising to another impressive victory after stirring performances against Melbourne and Brisbane.
Despite their sparkling early season form, Cooper said the Dockers’ premiership aspirations could hinge on tough inter-conference matches against Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.
“We do (feel like a contender),” he said.
“We haven’t played North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or Adelaide, who I rate really highly. We’ve got them to come over three of the next four games, so we’re just happy playing each week and testing ourselves against the best.”
The Dockers’ bid for a maiden finals appearance appears more challenging due to an emerging disparity in the AFLW’s new conference system with Conference A teams having beaten Conference B opposition in all seven matches thus far.
“To make finals, 5-2 (win-loss record) might not even be enough so we have to keep ticking those boxes and winning those games,” Cooper said.
“Every game is important. You can’t take your foot off at any stage.”
The Dockers’ impressive performance was slightly soured after former Perth Lynx basketballer Brianna Moyes suffered a knee injury in the first quarter to end her debut prematurely.
“I don’t think you can rule that (ACL) out,” Cooper said.
“She’ll have scans and work things out from there.”
After their third straight loss, Collingwood are mired at the bottom of Conference B and have mustered just six goals this season.
Coach Wayne Siekman attributed his team’s scoring woes to struggles further up the ground.
“They got their hands to the ball first, which allowed them to get the ball inside 50,” he said.
“With the new 5-6-5 rules, you can get one-on-ones if the ball comes forward quickly.”
The Magpies face an anxious wait on the fitness of star Ash Brazill (concussion) and Brittany Bonnici (bruised ribs) ahead of next weekend’s crunch match against fellow Conference B cellar dweller Greater Western Sydney at Morwell.
