Dongara local Roxy Roux, Exmouth’s Mim Strom turn it on in statement as Dockers win over Tigers in AFLW

Two of the region’s finest featured as Fremantle demonstrated their credentials as AFLW premiership contenders with a statement win over Richmond.

Dongara product Roxanne Roux got in on the action as the Dockers downed the Tigers by five goals on Saturday to make it three wins from three games.

Exmouth local Mim Strom lined up well against her ruck counterpart, offering her side plenty from centre bounce contests.

The game finished 11.11 (77) to 7.5 (47) at the Swinburne Centre.

Roux kicked 1.1 for the Dockers after an interrupted start to the season, placing her among her team’s top contributors alongside Gemma Houghton (2.2) and Kara Antonio (2.1).

Strom had 18 hit-outs to ruck opponent Gabby Seymour’s 19, and also racked up seven disposals.

Fremantle coach Trent Cooper said Roux’s start to the season had been disrupted when she sat out the derby against West Coast in round one, but he expected her to come good.

Just 10 points separated the Dockers and a much-improved Tigers outfit at three-quarter-time before Fremantle went in for the kill, notching their second highest score and overcoming Richmond’s resistance.

With their 30-point win, the Dockers have addressed any lingering disbelief they pose a finals threat.

The Tigers’ efforts up until three-quarter-time couldn’t be faulted, rallying after losing key defender Harriet Cordner to a suspected ACL injury in the second quarter.

Cooper said the Dockers used Melbourne’s heat to their advantage in the final quarter.

“This is really mild or normal (in Perth),” he said.

“We wanted to keep running through that and we know we’ve got so many options in the midfield, we thought hopefully Richmond, at this stage don’t bat as deep in there and they might tire a bit.”