AFLW 2025: Fremantle Dockers forward Aine Tighe’s season on a knife-edge as Orlagh Lally faces long road back

Fremantle forward Aine Tighe’s AFLW return could be over after just one game, with the Dockers to throw their arms around the star following her latest knee setback.

Tighe returned for her first game back from an ACL injury against Melbourne on Sunday, kicking a goal in the third quarter to help her side to an upset win.

However, she finished the game on the bench after reporting soreness in her right knee after she went to change direction with the Dockers still trying to determine how serious the injury is.

“She had an episode on her knee throughout the game,” high-performance manager Tom Sutherland said.

“At this stage, we know the ACL was involved; we just don’t know what the severity is at the moment.

“For now, we’ll just put our arms around Áine and support her as much as we can.”

It would be a massive blow for the Irish star, with the 33-year-old now facing the prospect of a fourth knee reconstruction if there is another tear, and for the Dockers, who have struggled to replace her goals up forward.

“She worked incredibly hard to get back to where she is. She’s an important player for us. No matter what happens, we will wrap our arms around her,” coach Lisa Webb said post-game.

“The only thing I’ve got from this is it’s knee soreness. She’s a terrific person. She doesn’t give much away so we’ll see how that goes.

“She’s just one of those people who is really mature and balanced with her approach to football. She’s s terrific person. Even in the changeroom, she is just pleased for the group at the moment.”

Western derby medal winner Orlagh Lally’s season is also in doubt, having missed the past two rounds with soreness in her foot.

The club said the injury was in a high-risk area, putting a line through her season unless Fremantle make an unlikely deep run into finals.

“We know a little bit more about Orlagh’s foot,” Sutherland said.

“It’s in quite a high-risk area of the foot, so we’re just making sure everything is okay.

“If she continues to track the way she is, it’ll be about five to six weeks away.”

Gabby O’Sullivan will miss at least another week with her own foot complaint but will be targeting a return over the next fortnight.

“Gabby O won’t be available this weekend, but we’ll get her back running this week, back to football training, and hopefully available next weekend,” Sutherland said.