Strom & Roux fly flag for the region in big Dockers win over Collingwood as Freo make AFLW mark

Exmouth product Mim Strom and Dongara sensation Roxy Roux both played a big part in their side’s fortunes as Fremantle emphatically stamped their premiership credentials on the AFLW last Thursday.

Roux set the Dockers on their way, opening the scoring with her second goal in two matches as they thumped fellow flag fancies Collingwood by 31 points, 5.8 (38) to 1.1 (7).

She moved into space well and took an uncontested mark in the forward pocket just before the quarter-hour mark, before kicking true and turning to celebrate with teammates.

After an interrupted preseason the Dongara product has come good in the past few matches and she was productive again with 13 disposals and five marks, the second-highest for her team, as well as seven hit-outs and four tackles.

Strom matched up well in the ruck, tying the Pies’ Alison Downie on a game-high 16 hit-outs while also making a tackle and getting away three disposals.

The win extended Fremantle’s unbeaten run to four matches and they were more dominant than the scoreline suggested, ploughing through the dam wall in the final quarter to end Collingwood’s seven-game winning streak at Victoria Park.

Just 12 points separated the two top-four outfits at the final break before Fremantle charged home with three final-quarter goals, finally getting reward for the 40-10 inside-50 count.

The most enticing battle played out in Fremantle’s forward arc, the Dockers creating ample opportunity only to be continually repelled by Collingwood’s structured back line. Fremantle’s tackling pressure was also immense, laying 78 tackles to Collingwood’s 50.