Dongara local Roxy Roux almost kicks Fremantle Dockers into home final against Gold Coast on AFLW return

It was a case of what might have been for Fremantle in the WAFLW, with Dongara local Roxy Roux coming agonisingly close to perhaps securing WA’s second home footy final in a year on Sunday on her return from injury. With Roux coming back into the side after two weeks out with a hamstring complaint, the Dockers pounded the Gold Coast Suns until they were within two goals of securing fourth place — with 43 seconds to go Roux lined up for goal from 20m out, but succumbed to a tackle, and the clock wound down. The game finished 7.4 (46) to 0.9 (9) in Freo’s favour. But the dominant win was not enough to overcome Fremantle’s 88-point loss to Melbourne a week earlier, which ultimately cost them the chance of a home final. Roux added some much-needed spark up forward on her return. She had a typically fierce game, putting on pressure with five tackles and getting away four disposals, but could not get on the scoresheet. Gemma Houghton scored two goals for Freo, and Kara and Ebony Antonio, Hayley Miller and Aine Tighe kicked the rest. Exmouth product Mim Strom returned to her duty as the main ruck player for Freo after being spelled by Sarah Wielstra last round. She had 12 hit-outs and was more effective with the ball than Suns counterpart Lauren Bella, racking up 11 disposals, seven of them by foot. Fremantle finish in fifth spot, thrusting them into an away qualifying final against the fourth-placed Kangaroos. The win was vital for the Dockers but the 16.5 percentage points to get past North Melbourne was a bridge too far.