GWS and Freo post first AFLW draw

Feb 18, 2017 - 7:08 AM Fremantle's kicking let them down again and a soccer star shone for GWS, as the first AFL Women's match in NSW also produced the fledgling competition's first draw.

Around 4000 people at Blacktown in Sydney's west watched both clubs post their biggest score yet, as they slugged out a 43-all draw..

Fremantle (6.7) had more scores and 14 more inside 50s than GWS (7.1).

They led at every change, but the Giants never trailed by more than 11 points and GWS briefly hit the front in both the third and fourth quarters.

The draw was a frustrating outcome for both teams as they each remain winless three games into a seven-round competition.

"The effort I thought was really good throughout the game, statistically we do pretty well," Dockers' coach Michelle Cowan said.

"In contested possession we were up 15, clearances were up by 12, tackles were up by 10, inside 50's were up by 14 and you draw the game.

"You get your your opportunity to score and it's pretty important to finish."

The goalkicking accuracy and tenacity of the Giants kept the home team in the game after they didn't land a single major in the first quarter.

"I thought our first half was quite poor, but to the girls credit in the second half they really responded to what we said at halftime," Giants' coach Tim Schmidt said.

Matildas soccer international Ellie Brush had the honour of kicking the Giants' first home goal, from a set shot in the second quarter.

Schmidt said when GWS selected Brush he initially expected her to play in defence, but felt she had shown over the past two games she was capable of filling other roles.

"We have confidence in her to be able to push up in the midfield and I thought she was brilliant today," Schmidt said.

Giants' marquee player and defender Emma Swanson marked her AFLW debut with an accomplished performance, gathering 16 touches and Erin McKinnon garnered 31 hitouts for the home team.

Captain Kara Donnellan and Lara Filicamo were superb for Freo.

Freo suffered a couple of injuries with Tiah Hyanes dislocating a shoulder and Cassie Davidson hurting an ankle.

Source: AAP