AFLW: Manjimup midfielder Dana East set for Fremantle Dockers’ preliminary final clash with Adelaide Crows

After an impressive first season in purple, which has seen her play all but one game, earn a rising star nomination and fast become one of the league’s best tacklers, Dana East could be just one win away from an AFLW grand final. The Manjimup product is likely to line up for the Fremantle Dockers in their rescheduled preliminary final clash with Adelaide Crows on Saturday, with a grand final spot on the line. The postponement of Collingwood and Brisbane’s first final due to a spate of COVID-19 cases meant the Dockers and Crows both enjoyed a week off. The Dockers booked their preliminary final spot after finishing fifth and blowing North Melbourne away to win 11.3 (69) to 4.7 (31) at Arden Street a fortnight ago. East had eight disposals and kicked an important goal in the qualifying final victory. It would be the first time the club has reached an AFLW grand final, after what appeared to be a likely premiership season in 2020 was postponed during the early stages of the pandemic. East on Tuesday was not named in the competition’s 22 Under 22 squad, with teammate Emma O’Driscoll the only Docker named. Earlier this season, the 2021 draftee told the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times she was enjoying “learning from the best” as teammtes Hayley Miller and Ebony Antonio put together career-best years. “It has been really good having the best players in the comp train and play with you because you just learn about yourself and other players,” East said. “It has been amazing, I am always idolising all the older players, they always have different skills that I’d love to have. “But especially seeing Hayley Miller and Ebony step up this year has been very impressive. “Hopefully I can learn off all of them over the next few years as well.”