AFLW 2025: Fremantle star Hayley Miller hopes Dockers can spoil West Coast’s party to spark turnaround

Fremantle star Hayley Miller admits a derby win always means more and says another win over West Coast could be the perfect opportunity for the Dockers to ignite their season. After three straight losses, the Dockers are in desperate need of a victory with their finals hopes already on the brink and saddled with the worst percentage in the league. But Miller said she’s not panicking yet. “It obviously hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to, but the beauty of the AFLW is that it’s getting a bit longer with more games, so there’s time to turn things around,” Miller said on SEN. “And there’s no better way to kickstart that than in the derby, it is a pretty big game; it’s almost like a final.” West Coast are flying high on confidence after back-to-back final-quarter comeback wins that have them in touching distance of the top four. However, the Eagles have never won an AFLW derby, and Miller said she does not intend to see that streak end. “It holds a little bit more weight, it’s just the four points at the end of the day, but 8-0 looks pretty good, and we’ll be absolutely looking to ruin the party in that sense,” she said. “They have a really solid core group of players, they’re playing well as a unit and some exciting footy. “We’re absolutely backing in the talent we’ve got, we probably just don’t have that same synergy as last year, and we’re still trying to find that click when it all comes together.” Having established herself as a star in Fremantle’s midfield, Miller has largely played as a full-time forward this year and admits she is still adjusting to the role. “I’ve played predominantly as a full-time forward, and whilst that was exciting, it is difficult when the ball is not coming down that way too much. “But I am enjoying the challenge and looking to build on that work to get involved a bit more.” Miller also backed coach Lisa Webb, who has been in the spotlight after their poor start, and said the onus is on the playing group to lift. “She’s very positive but said she can’t continue to pick us up, and we have to find that within ourselves. “We have to take accountability for ourselves and make steps to improve what’s happening out there.”