Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Martin Pegan

Dockers bring down Hawks in AFLW thriller

Ex-skipper Kara Antonio has helped Fremantle to a narrow win over Hawthorn in her final AFLW match. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Fremantle have sent off inaugural captain Kara Antonio in style with a dominant final term to snatch a thrilling five-point triumph over Hawthorn.

The Dockers had to overcome a flying start by the Hawks, before kicking four of the last five goals to secure a rousing 7.7 (49) to 7.2 (44) victory and end a difficult AFLW season with back-to-back wins.

Antonio only gathered eight disposals playing forward in her farewell match but helped spark the Dockers' comeback with a goal when they trailed by 17 points late in the third term.

"That goal from Kara, into the breeze, was absolutely huge for the momentum of the game and to keep us in it," Dockers coach Trent Cooper said.

"She definitely did her part today.

"As a player she has been fantastic but her legacy is way beyond that, it really is as a leader and bringing others along for the ride."

The former Dockers skipper was playing her first match of the season after recovering from a serious hamstring injury and kicked another to finish with 2.2 at Fremantle Oval on Saturday night.

Kara and Ebony Antonio became the first married couple to play AFLW together after their wedding last October, and often looked to bring each other into the game throughout the clash with the Hawks.

Ebony only returned to the Dockers' line-up last week after overcoming a PCL injury and what was revealed to be a worrying heart issue, but was quickly back to her best with 21 disposals.

But it was Fremantle's gun onballer Kiara Bowers who was arguably best afield, gathering 34 touches while also laying an incredible 22 tackles.

Aine Tighe was also integral to the Dockers' win as a forward target when the match was on the line, booting four goals.

The Dockers' (3-6-1) win denied Hawks veteran Jess Duffin her own fairytale finish, although the multi-sport champion lit up her farewell match early as the standout forward threat.

Duffin took three marks inside-50 in the opening term but could not quite have the same impact on the scoreboard, with one goal, two behinds and a smothered shot.

The 33-year-old vice-captain was quiet after that until popping up to slot a goal with 23 seconds remaining to bring the margin back to five points and give the Hawks hope.

"We didn't get the result on the scoreboard, but Jess doesn't stop being great just because we didn't win the game," Hawks coach Bec Goddard said of the former international cricketer.

"She had some amazing moments again tonight that show what an amazing athlete she's been in this competition and internationally in women's sport."

Hawthorn (3-7) were in front for much of the contest but were unable to slow the Dockers' late charge when the hosts had all the momentum and a stiff breeze behind them.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd (24 disposals) was among the best for the Hawks, while Kaitlyn Ashmore (16), Aileen Gilroy and Charlotte Baskaran (both 14, one goal) also battled hard in the Victorians' final match of an impressive debut AFLW season.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.