AFLW: Fremantle must conquer poor history against Adelaide to reach preliminary final

Fremantle stand on the brink of their first AFLW preliminary final in three seasons — but to do so, they will have to overcome the nemesis responsible for their last finals loss.

And to reach the final four, the Dockers will have to buck history against Adelaide when they face the Crows at Norwood Oval on Saturday.

Confidence is high in the Fremantle camp as they prepare to draw on their 100 per cent away record to pull off an upset against the Crows.

In eight outings against the Crows, Fremantle have tasted defeat on seven occasions, which includes a 33-point shellacking at home this season — a game the Dockers were held goalless.

However, their most painful loss against Adelaide arguably came in early 2022, when the Crows saw off the Dockers by 14 points in the preliminary final.

There are 10 players remaining from the Fremantle side that day named to face the Crows on Saturday: Hayley Miller, Emma O’Driscoll, Mim Strom, Gabby O’Sullivan, Ebony Antonio, Dana East, Airlie Runalls, Laura Pugh, Sarah Verrier and Jessica Low.

Speaking to The West Australian, Low said while they did not feel like Adelaide were overwhelming favourites, she did feel as if there was less pressure on her side.

“We’re happy with the underdogs tag, we have been out of finals for a few years, but we really embrace a challenge,” she said.

“Adelaide are such a good side, but all the teams remaining in the finals campaigns are.

“I feel like finals a bit different in that, it doesn’t take much to be off, and if they are off and we’re on, it will definitely be our game.

“I don’t feel like too much of an underdog, but I’m also not unhappy with it.”

Low said the squad loved travelling together on the road and it aided preparation for the game while also creating more harmony inside the locker room.

With Fremantle guaranteed to play all their remaining matches outside of WA if they beat Adelaide, that love of away games could come in handy.

“You literally rock up, put your bag down, and then you just go to the lounge and get to spend that time together,” Low said.

“You can’t work the day before, so you have a bit more of a chance to either discuss things as a team or just have some fun together, or meet your line coach if you have any questions.

“Everyone relaxes quite a bit, and we always fly two nights before, which I really enjoy. And I think the whole team is really used to the routine now of traveling.”