AFL: Dana East’s Fremantle Dockers through to AFLW preliminary final as Marlion Pickett impresses for Tigers

Dana East and her Fremantle Dockers could be just one win away from a grand final. The Dockers began their finals campaign with a commanding victory on the road against North Melbourne and will now face Adelaide in their second ever preliminary final. East again contributed in midfield, and kicked a goal in the 11.3 (69) to 4.7 (31) win. The tackling machine finished second only to Hayley Miller with five, but had just eight disposals. East stood under a floating ball inside-50 to take a brave mark and convert for her goal, which was the third consecutive major for the Dockers and put them two goals ahead early in the second term. Senior coach Trent Cooper said post-game he felt younger players like East were well-placed to put in a strong showing on the road, after spending the first month of the season in Victoria. “That period in Victoria definitely helped, and it was a time that the team really bonded,” Cooper said. “We got a lot of games into our youngsters, they got to hang around the Kiara Bowers and Hayley Miller types and see how they behave and act and prepare. “For Dana East and Makaela Tuhakaraina and those types, it was really valuable for them.” The Dockers will now wait an extra week before taking on Adelaide, with the AFL re-shaping the finals fixture on Tuesday, after a spate of COVID cases meant Collingwood were unable to field a team for their qualifying final clash with Brisbane. That game will be played on Sunday, while the Dockers will head to Adelaide to take on the minor premiers on April 2. Another Manjimup product, Marlion Pickett was a shining light for Richmond on an otherwise disappointing night. The Tigers were run down by an inspired Carlton side in their traditional round one clash at the MCG, leaving many questioning their finals chances again after missing the eight last year. The Blues turned around a three-quarter time deficit to win 14.17 (101) to 11.10 (76). Richmond’s midfield was second to the football at most clearances, meaning Pickett’s 18th disposals made him their fifth-best accumulator. The winger also had seven marks and five tackles in a display that should buy him plenty of time in Damien Hardwick’s side this season. And he nearly had an early Mark of the Year contender, climbing over Lachie O’Brien on the member’s wing, but spilling the mark after launching off his opponent’s shoulders. The Tigers take on Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.