IT was hard to wipe the smile off Dockers\u2019 coach Lisa Webb\u2019s face after her side defeated Richmond in the AFL Women\u2019s yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking post-match, Webb said her side \u201cgot back to the way we wanted to play footy, really challenged the girls during the week. We were disappointed with our performance last week and we showed a lot of fight and a lot of grit out there today so I\u2019m really proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Webb said things are starting to come together for the Dockers finally, and that a win like the one they got yesterday was very important in the context of their season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a couple of performances where we just thought that we just didn\u2019t put our best foot forward and today we started to see a bit more of that. I was really proud of Tuks<\/a> (Makaela Tuhakaraina<\/strong>) coming back in, and Dana East<\/a>, and Angela Stannett<\/a> spent a fair chunk of time as an inside mid, and we\u2019ve been really trying to push and develop those players. Obviously we didn\u2019t have (Ebony<\/strong>) Antonio<\/a> or (Kiara<\/strong>) Bowers<\/a>, so really proud of their performance despite a few changes as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Richmond gave the Dockers a lot of pressure to contend with in the second half with the Dockers withstood very well. Webb said that it \u201cabsolutely\u201d gave them confidence that they were able to do so in such a way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to find the right mix at the moment, and we did change a few things,” Webb said. “Obviously Roxy<\/a> came back as well so we\u2019re just trying to find what\u2019s the best mix and challenge players with their flexibility and roles. Especially late when we put Aine<\/a> behind the ball and then Ange Stannett<\/strong> in and then what the backs look like with that. Really pleased to be finding out a lot about our players in these games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a few big names out of the side yesterday, Webb praised others who led well and stood up in their absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHayley Miller<\/a>\u2019s been terrific, back to her really good football today, and Stannett really supports her really well, and so does Pughy<\/a>. Gabby O’Sullivan<\/a> was out there as well which was another really exciting one for us to have back out there, and Aine, she\u2019s fairly handy as well. So we\u2019re really well supported by our leaders, especially with those other two out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been a big few weeks for the Dockers, who stayed in Melbourne between their games in Round 4 and 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a really good week for us as a bonding experience and I\u2019m just really pleased, four points is really important but just the fight and grit that they showed. That resilience, especially when they came back late\u201d Webb said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n