Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Injured AFLW powerhouse Mim Strom was forced to play ruck coach on the bench as the Dockers steamrolled a Monique Conti-less Richmond by 25 points on the road.
Two-time All-Australian ruck Strom was in agony at Ikon Park after a tackle from Tigers midfielder Emelia Yassir in the first quarter of Sunday’s clash.
Recruit Eden Zanker was first cab off the rank in the ruck, while Gabby O’Sullivan kicked three goals to help lift the Dockers to a 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) win in Indigenous Round.
Lisa Webb’s Dockers (2-2) can finish the fourth week of the 12-fixture competition in the top eight, but are bracing to lose Strom for part of their finals push.
Before Sunday, Strom had played 78 consecutive matches since making her debut in 2020.
“She’s been on the bench with a big smile so she’s hard to get a read on, but I’ll get a medical update,” coach Webb told Seven Plus at three-quarter time.
“She’s been a ruck coach on the side. She’s been a warrior for us, and we’ll look after her.”
Dockers midfielder Gabby Newton was also busy with 18 touches and four clearances, and teenager Noa McNaughton kicked two goals.
Richmond – who, like Fremantle, haven’t reached finals since 2024 – drop from sixth and could finish as low as 13th with a 2-2 record.
The Tigers are unsure of how serious Conti’s injury is, with the 2023 league best-and-fairest managing Achilles soreness.
The five-time All-Australian midfielder was a late withdrawal alongside Fina Dethlefsen, with recruit Georgia Stubs and Kate Dempsey returning to the side.
Youngster Isabel Bacon (24 disposals, six clearances) led the game in Conti’s absence, and Olivia Wolmarans kicked two goals.
The Dockers took the early advantage after three lead changes in the opening quarter, pipping the Tigers by five points thanks to a goal from O’Sullivan.
Strom’s absence did little to sap Fremantle’s momentum, with O’Sullivan piling on back-to-back goals as the visitors were kept scoreless in the second term.
It was much the same after halftime, but Stubs provided a highlight for the Tigers after kicking her career-first goal in the final quarter.
The Dockers maintain a perfect record against the Tigers, having won all four meetings since season six in 2022.
