Kiara Bowers has kicked off her 2020 AFLW season in style, producing a dominant performance as Fremantle claimed a round one victory over Geelong at Fremantle Oval.
The reigning Dockers best and fairest winner laid 14 tackles and won 22 disposals in a 16-point win in front of close to 6000 fans.
Fremantle Coach Trent Cooper was full of praise for his star midfielder after the 6.8 (44) to 4.4 (28) result.
“I think her offensive game will go to another level this year,” Cooper said. “The defensive stuff is always going to be there.
“Her ball use is really good and she actually ran away from players a few times and as players get tired she has got the trust in her body now to take the game on so that’s pleasing to see.
“When she is out there, the example she sets means our young players like Sabs (Sabreena Duffy) and the other ones we’ve just drafted, they know they have to train hard and work hard. She’s not just a front runner, a player with a lot of ability – she works harder than anybody.”
West Coast were spirited in their 5.8 (38) to 1.5 (11) loss to Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday.
Assistant Coach Michelle Cowan and the rest of the club will now look ahead to a huge contest against the Dockers in the first ever AFLW western derby at Optus Stadium on Saturday.