AFLW Finals 2024: Fremantle Dockers face do-or-die clash with Essendon

Fremantle have given the purple army a perfect send off for 2024 with a gutsy elimination final victory over Essendon.

They now march on to Adelaide in a bid to earn a spot in the preliminary finals.

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The Dockers will soak up their win for the next couple of days, but all of their attention now turns to a trip to Adelaide.

They were beaten comprehensively by the Crows at home early in the season, but they have made some big strides forward since then and have some stars back.

It will be an intriguing match-up.

The Dockers sing the song with the fans.

The Dockers are lapping up the atmosphere.

The Dockers produced a stunning team effort to knock off Essendon but no one can deny Mim Strom was incredible.

Surrounded by a massive wave of purple fans, the Dockers girls belt out a second rendition of the team song.

Much of the crowd has stayed to cheer and rouse the Freo chant once more.

Mim Strom was so absorbed in the contest she didn’t know she had broken her hitout record.

​The Bombers were brave, but Fremantle had too much firepower in the end and claimed victory by 10 points.​

Strom was a clear star but Gabby Newton fell two tackles short of the record with 20 to go with 21 disposals and four clearances.

The Essendon lost star Prespaskis early but pushed right to the end, even snatching the lead going into the last quarter.

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Strom has broken her hitout record with more than 50 and has 10 clearances alongside 26 touches to go with it.

The Freo chants are ringing around Fremantle Oval now.

Fremantle have broken from a forward wing stoppage and dribbled a goal through!

They have struggled finding targets but when they have found space to run they have been lethal.

The ball lobs over the deepest defender and bounces through the big sticks.

Huge goal!

FRE 36, ESS 26