FREMANTLE was the competition's early pace-setters, winning its first four matches before running into eventual premiers Brisbane.
The Dockers struggled to maintain their high-pressure game as the season progressed, eventually losing to Melbourne in a semi-final at Casey Fields.
Over the next few weeks, womens.afl will look at each of the seasons of the 14 AFLW teams in reverse ladder order.
WHO'S HANGING UP THE BOOTS? Your club's retiring players
Coach: Trent Cooper
Leadership group: Kara Antonio (captain), Kiara Bowers (vice-captain), Ebony Antonio, Hayley Miller, Gabby O'Sullivan
2021 home and away finishing position: Fifth, six wins and three losses, 185.1 per cent. Lost semi-final to Melbourne by 17 points.
Best team performance: Fremantle 7.1 (43) defeated Adelaide 1.7 (13) in round three.
While accuracy on behalf of both sides went some way to explaining the margin, Fremantle was at its dynamic best against the eventual minor premiers and Grand Final runners-up. Ash Sharp and Gemma Houghton kicked two apiece, while Bowers put in another typically strong performance with 23 disposals and 13 tackles.
Best individual performance: For all of Bowers' incredible consistency throughout the season, it's hard to go past Houghton's electric masterclass in round one against GWS. She kicked two in a minute to go with her earlier major, recording 20 disposals, 10 score involvements, nine marks and a record 10 running bounces.
NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations: Nil
Debutants: Mikayla Hyde, Sarah Verrier
Retirees: Leah Mascall
Delistings: Tarnee Tester, Jess Trend, Alex Williams
Most improved: Key defender Janelle Cuthbertson starred in her second season of AFLW, named in the All-Australian team in just her third season of playing the sport. One of the leading intercept players in the competition, she was the cornerstone of Fremantle's defence, regularly taking on the opposition's No.1 forward.
Star recruit: The Dockers' two recruits from other clubs – Jess Trend and Tarnee Tester – didn’t play due to unavailability and injury, but Tiah Haynes was an outstanding re-drafting after several injury-affected years in the WAFLW. Adding some much-needed midfield depth, she was tenacious around the ball and a strong four-quarter performer.
Unsung hero: Winger Steph Cain had an outstanding season in her return from a torn ACL, and her run and drive – particularly out of defence – was key to several of the Dockers' wins in 2021. She averaged 12.5 touches (third highest for the team), 285.8m gained and 4.5 intercepts.
What worked:
- When Fremantle got on a roll, there weren't too many sides able to halt that dangerous forward line in full flight. Gemma Houghton (15 goals) and Sabreena Duffy (10) were the biggest threats forward of centre, with both winning matches off their own boot throughout the season.
- Kiara Bowers had an outstanding season, becoming the first Fremantle player to win the AFLW best and fairest. After sitting out the first two seasons with serious knee injuries, Bowers joked the Dockers were within their rights to cut the tackling machine, but their faith has been repaid tenfold. Arguably only the Demons were able to shut Bowers down completely in 2021.
What needs improvement:
- Like Carlton, Fremantle was another strong side to seriously struggle with scoring early. The Dockers kicked an astonishing 2.14 from their 10 first quarters, going scoreless twice and in their last four matches, scoring 0.1, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.2. While they were able to overhaul some sides with late runs, it cost them games against stronger opponents like Melbourne (twice) and Brisbane.
- Fremantle still has a few holes in its midfield. Its starting core of Bowers, Haynes and Miller, with Cain and Ebony Antonio on the wings is strong, but underneath that there aren't too many options. It's something the Dockers are already working on over the remainder of the WAFLW season, with Duffy and Roxy Roux – among others – given extensive stints as inside midfielders.
BEST AND FAIREST WRAP Who was your club champion?
Early call for 2022: Barring a disastrous collapse, Fremantle will feature in finals again. The Dockers were the leading kicking side in the competition, but ranked dead last for handballs. Finding a little more balance between the two, and strengthening the midfield (arguably the two go hand in hand) will help those late-season staggers.
Season rating: 7.5/10
