Fremantle coach Lisa Webb has declared Ash Brazill ready to go for the club’s knockout semi-final against the Crows as the Dockers attempt to take another step towards an unlikely premiership.
Brazill was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s 10-point elimination final win over Essendon at Fremantle Oval after failing to overcome the ankle injury she suffered a fortnight ago.
The 34-year-old former netballer is one of Fremantle’s most important defenders, and would be a huge boost to the side if she can return against the Crows in Adelaide.
“I’m really confident,” Webb said.
“I just saw her then, and she’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m ready to go coach’.
“She was really close (to playing against Essendon).
“We try and give them to the last minute. We train after the teams come out, so we were always going to name her and test her.
“And yeah, that was just one of the calls we made (to pull her out against Essendon).”
Adelaide pipped Fremantle for fourth spot by percentage, and the Crows showed their class in a seven-point qualifying final loss to unbeaten North Melbourne.
Fremantle are a perfect 5-0 on the road this year, but beating Adelaide in Adelaide represents a huge challenge.
“They’re a brilliant team,” Webb said of the Crows.
“I watched them (against North) and God they were impressive, especially in that first half with their pressure.
“But once again, you know, we’re still in it. We want to go all the way.”
Stopping star Crows midfielder Ebony Marinoff will be crucial to Fremantle’s victory hopes.
The Dockers will be banking on their ruck star Mim Strom to help cause an upset.
Strom is fast becoming one of the best players in the competition and she tallied a league-record 56 hitouts against Essendon to go with 11 clearances, 26 possessions, 441m gained and a goal.
“Sometimes we kind of run out of words for her,” Webb said.
“She’s as humble as they come.
“Before the game, you just keep her composed, but you really don’t need to because she’s got that look in her eyes.
“We’ve just got to continue to look after her, because she obviously gets a lot of attention, and she’s really important for us.”
Essendon were brave in defeat, overcoming the early loss of star midfielder Madison Prespakis (hip) to grab a four-point lead heading into the final change.
The Bombers were already without captain Bonnie Toogood (ankle) and star ruck Steph Wales (ACL), and they pushed Fremantle all the way in a fighting effort.
It marks the second consecutive season Essendon have lost an elimination final.
“It’s always disappointing when your season ends. The group are quite upset,” Essendon coach Natalie Wood said.
“But with a little bit of time, we’ll stop and reflect. I’m nothing but proud of this group.
“You know similar to Freo, we’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of adversity throughout the year.
“Our ability to evolve our game … if I look back to the round one against Freo, in terms of how we were playing … we’ve come on in leaps and bounds.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/dockers-set-for-brazill-boost-ahead-of-clash-with-crows-c-16698558
