GWS Giants cruise past Fremantle

FREMANTLE’S AFLW premiership hopes are all but over after the Dockers suffered an 18-point loss to GWS in yesterday’s clash at Fremantle Oval.

The Giants booted four consecutive goals from late in the first quarter to early into the third term to set up the 6.3 (39) to 3.3 (21) win in front of 2571 fans.

The loss leaves the Dockers a win and significant percentage adrift of second spot with only two rounds remaining in the season.

The top two sides will play off in the grand final.

The Giants (two wins, one draw, two losses) moved into fourth spot, but they will probably need to win their last two games against the Bulldogs and Brisbane to have any chance of reaching the decider.

The first quarter was a hard-fought affair as both sides battled hard for field position.

Scores were locked at a goal apiece, before a special crumb and snap from Cora Staunton gave the Giants a six-point lead at the first break.

Giants forward Aimee Schmidt was looking for a hole to hide in after missing an open goal from close range early in the second quarter.

But GWS capitalised on their other chances to kick the only two goals of the term and take a handy 17-point lead into halftime.

The game was effectively over approaching three-quarter time when key forward Jacinda Barclay scored after taking a strong pack mark to give the Giants a 24-point lead.

A short time later, Fremantle’s Amy Lavell slammed a 20m set shot into the post to waste a golden chance to inspire a comeback.