INCREDIBLY blustery conditions in Frankston are nothing new to Hawthorn coach Daniel Webster and his side, and they drew on that experience when the brown and gold overcame a determined Fremantle by 15 points last night.

The victory made it three on the trot and moved the top four Hawks to 7-1 on the season and barring a disaster, a spot in the 2025 AFL Women’s Finals series. Webster said both teams were aware of just how important wins are in a shortened season, and he was not surprised in the least that Fremantle brought the heat.

“They played Carlton last week and that was kind of similar windy, very contested and I knew they were disappointed with that performance last week and we knew that they were going to come out red hot,” Webster said.

“Especially in 12-game seasons, getting wins on the board is so important so we absolutely expected them to bring the heat, especially again they’re an experienced, strong side and they’re very good in the contest.”

For the Hawks, it was about trying to match the likes of Kiara Bowers, Gabrielle Newton and Aisling McCarthy on the inside, and feeding it out to the Hawks wingers.

“I thought they were very strong in there, especially their midfield brigade,” Webster said. They’re very, very good, so for us it was trying to more than anything match them on the inside and then try and get the ball to the outside.

“Obviously incredibly difficult to move the ball with how hard the wind was blowing today. It was just going to be one of those one where it’s taking your moments when you get them. “But I think more than anything else we’ll respect them for what they do and how good they are and I thought our guys did a great job.”

The Hawks held a narrow nine-point lead at teh final break, having only lead by two points when they head into half-time. An importat goal in the third quarter gave them some breathing space before Aine McDonagh kicked the eventunal game-winner early in the fourth.

“We had some plans in place that we’d spoken about at half-time,” Webster said. “Obviously incredibly hard conditions out there. “So just spoke like how we wanted to move the ball and then at what point in time we put a plus-one behind the ball.

“But when the quarter started and I actually thought the first three or four minutes we were on top and then we got the goal which obviously made it a bit more comfortable I suppose, but incredibly difficult conditions I thought the resilience players showed and the toughness in the last quarter because that was really hard work out there today.”

McDonagh was one who was tightly watched by the Dockers, with Fremantle the latest side to try and limit the talented Hawk. While the visitors did keep her to 13 disposals, McDonagh’s critical mark and goal ultimately was the decisive moment.

“It’s very hard for really anyone to take a mark in those conditions and teams are putting a lot of time into her because she’s so important into what we do, but I thought she looked dangerous all day,” Webster said. “Just another really strong performance and obviously the goal at the end and then to go behind the ball for us as well. She’s very important into what we do, and she’s having a magnificent season as well.”

Another player who impressed the Hawks mentor was debutant Daisy Flockart, who due to her size and power, was thrown on-ball in the final term. Webster said he was looking for a player who could compete size wise with some of the Fremantle midfielders as the pressure stakes rose.

“Fundamentally I thought she was playing really well, she’s incredibly strong around the contest and I think with Fremantle’s engine room,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of experienced players who are very strong bodies and just very good and I thought Daisy was one of the few who could match them and get the ball out for us. “That was more than anything else, I just thought she was having a really good game and just wanted to get her in there.”