Fremantle coach Lisa Webb declares Dockers believe they can ‘beat anyone’ in 2024 finals series

Fremantle coach Lisa Webb has fired a warning shot to the rest of the AFLW competition, declaring her players “believe they can beat anyone and so do I”.

Despite an intimidating top-four that consists of undefeated North Melbourne, Hawthorn (10-1), Brisbane (9-2) and Adelaide (8-3), the Dockers are confident they can match any team, having only missed out on a double chance themselves on percentage.

“I won’t shy away from the fact that we want to beat any team that we come up against, of course, and there’s no reason why we can’t,” Webb said.

“For the rest of them, great. We love that underdog status. I can tell you right now the girls that are in the changeroom working hard, they believe they can beat anyone and so do I.”

Eager to follow Brisbane’s men’s side, who won the AFL premiership from the same position just weeks ago, Fremantle will host Essendon at Fremantle Oval on Saturday in an elimination final

It is the first time the Dockers will host a post-season game since 2020.

“For us, finally getting there is obviously a big step but now, back to zero,” Webb said. “It is exciting that we get a shot to play Essendon and why not us? Why not continue to build and put our best foot forward?

“We’ve grown a lot since round one and we’re really looking forward to making sure that this week, we play our best football of the season.”

Star ruck Mim Strom further pushed her case for a maiden All-Australian blazer with a game-high 30 disposals, 29 hitouts, nine marks, seven tackles and seven clearances against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Webb expected the Bombers to put plenty of work into quelling her influence but said it would be nothing new for the 22-year-old.

“The beauty about Mim is they (opposition teams) have been doing it for most of the season now,” she said.

“Previously she’s always been a great competitor for us and fiercely determined to improve. This year, she’s taken her game to another level.

“We’ve certainly found we’ve had to continue to shift with what other teams are throwing at us so we feel like we’re well prepared for that.”

Webb was hopeful star defender Ash Brazill (ankle) would be available and said the club would give her “every chance” to face the Bombers.

“We’ve gone a bit cautious with her, obviously she’s a really important player for us,” Webb said.

“She’s certainly developing but we wanted to protect her and put her in the (moon) boot. But she’s definitely a test for this week.”