Dockers' late comeback win sends a Power-ful message

Hayley Miller (second right) kicked the decisive goal in the Dockers' impressive win over Port. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Fremantle have put an "embarrassing" AFLW performance behind them with an eight-point comeback win over Port Adelaide on the road.

A week after being held goalless by Adelaide, the Dockers did not lead until the final five minutes against the Power at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

But they finished full of running and kicked the last three goals of a tight contest in their 5.7 (37) to 4.5 (29) victory.

Former Fremantle captain Hayley Miller won a one-on-one contest deep in attack and kicked the decisive major from the goal square in the dying stages.

"We were pretty embarrassed by what we put forward last week and we knew it wasn't good enough, so it was certainly a bit of a redemption game for us," Miller told Fox Footy.

"We know that we're better than that, so we got to work during the week and we're pretty happy with the performance tonight."

Miller starred with 18 disposals and seven clearances, while Gabrielle Newton (15 disposals) was busy, and Mim Strom shone in the ruck with 18 disposals and 32 hit-outs.

Mim Strom (right) kept the pressure on Port's Abbey Dowrick.
Fremantle's Mim Strom (right) kept the pressure on Port's Abbey Dowrick in their AFLW clash.

Aine Tighe was another influential figure with 13 disposals, four score involvements and one goal for Fremantle, who improved their record to 2-1 ahead of a home clash with Melbourne in round four.

Port Adelaide, who were chasing consecutive AFLW victories for the first time, slipped to 1-2 and face a tough assignment against early premiership fancies North Melbourne at Whitten Oval on Friday night.

The Power handled blustery conditions on their home deck better than Fremantle in the opening term and their superior pressure eventually told when late goals to Julia Teakle and Courtney Wendland led to a 13-point lead at quarter-time.

But the Dockers hit back, with Ebony Antonio and Gabby O'Sullivan kicking goals to reduce the margin to one point by the main break.

Ebony Antonio of the Dockers.
Ebony Antonio was on target in the Dockers' AFLW win over Port Adelaide.

The Power kept their noses in front during a tight third term, turning for home with a 4.5 to 3.4 buffer.

It wasn't enough as Fremantle dominated the final term, winning the inside-50 count 16-1 and kicking 2.3 while keeping Port scoreless.

"It was a good team performance," Miller said.

"It was probably a couple of goals' breeze, so we knew going into the last quarter that if we could get it going forward and get some ascendancy that we'd do all right.

"I was proud that we were able to do that."

AFLW leading goalkicker Teakle finished with a game-high two majors for Port, with Kirsty Lamb (16 disposals, eight clearances) and Maria Moloney (17, five) both busy.

Teakle was moved to play as a spare in defence during the final term as Power coach Lauren Arnell tried to protect the lead.

Port Adelaide's Julia Teakle (centre).
Port Adelaide's Julia Teakle (centre) kicked two goals before being moved into defence.

"It means that you lose one ahead of the ball, but it was a pretty significant breeze," Arnell said.

"The timing of how you protect your score and try to score, it's a bit line-ball in AFLW because the quarters are short.

"The difference between did we go too quickly or not is probably only a couple of minutes.

"I'd make that decision again. I think she saved us a couple of goals."

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