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AAP
Joanna Guelas

Dockers spoil Saints finals hopes with AFLW win

Aine Tighe goaled in the first minute to set the tone for Fremantle's strong AFLW win over St Kilda. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Fremantle have taken out a comfortable 24-point win to bring an abrupt end to St Kilda's four-game streak and dash their AFLW finals hopes.

The Dockers dominated the Saints from the start to win 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21) at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

"Really proud of the girls' effort to get it down there, but also get it through the big sticks," Dockers captain Hayley Miller told the Seven Network.

"It's been one thing that we've really been wanting to work on.

"We haven't been getting enough on the scoreboard and that really hurts you percentage wise, but also to win games, you've got to kick big scores."

Having been on the verge of making their first finals appearance, St Kilda (4-4) could now miss the top eight even if they beat fourth-placed Brisbane and ninth-placed Carlton.

Dana East was everywhere for Fremantle, leading the game in disposals (19) and contested possessions (11), alongside Orlagh Lally (19 disposals, five clearances).

Jamiee Lambert was the shining light for the otherwise subdued Saints, collecting a game-high seven clearances and 13 contested possessions.

Fremantle flew out of the gates from the first siren, producing their highest-scoring quarter of the season with 26 points in the opening term.

Conversely, the score was the most the Saints have conceded in any quarter this season.

Aine Tighe set the tone for the Dockers with a brilliant goal less than 30 seconds into the first quarter, followed by two majors from Gabby O'Sullivan and another by Angelique Stannett.

Ella Friend slotted a much-needed goal for the visitors to make it 4.2 (26) to 1.3 (9) at quarter time.

With less than a minute till the long break, Miller (two goals) kicked the only major of the second quarter to give Fremantle a comfortable 26-point lead at halftime.

Despite two goals from Tyanna Smith and J'Noemi Anderson in the second half, the Saints struggled to eat into the deficit.

Fremantle (4-4) play premiers Melbourne next, before finishing the season against 11th-placed Sydney.

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