Dockers exit from AFLW Premiership race

Fremantle coach Michelle Cowan has labelled the Dockers’ exit from the AFLW premiership race as “incredibly disappointing” in the aftermath of a 23-point loss to league leaders the Adelaide Crows at Fremantle Oval.

After scoring just one goal following a dominant opening quarter, the Dockers’ 6.10 (46) to 3.5 (23) loss to the Crows ensured they were out of the reckoning for a grand final berth with three matches still to play.

One of the flag fancies heading into the season, the Dockers remain only percentage points ahead of bottom-placed GWS with just one draw from four matches.

Cowan said the early exit from the flag race was a bitter pill for the group to swallow. “They are pretty flat because it was a big game for us,” she said. “Incredibly disappointing (to bow out)….when you see how well the girls played in that first quarter. To fall away so quickly is really disappointing.”

Cowan believed the hype swirling around the team before the season was unwarranted.

“I never bought into that because it was a brand new competition,” she said.

“I don’t know where those measurements come from. It wasn’t within our four walls those conversations.

“Clearly we are disappointed where we sit at the moment. We thought we would be competitive in this competition.”

Adelaide coach Bec Goddard said excitement was brewing over next Saturday’s mouth-watering top-of the-table clash with unbeaten Brisbane at Norwood Oval.

“We have set ourselves up for a great showdown with Brisbane now,” she said.

“Their game is very similar to ours.

“We love to bring the pressure and we are really looking forward to being at home and seeing what each team can do.”

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