Strom's Shoulder Injury Mars Fremantle's AFLW Win as Geelong Fires at Kardinia Park
Fremantle beat Richmond by 25 points in AFLW Indigenous Round at Princes Park, but the win came at a cost — All-Australian ruck Mim Strom left the ground in the first quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Strom was hurt by a tackle from Richmond midfielder Emelia Yassir early in the match. She had played 78 consecutive AFLW games since her debut in 2020. That ironman streak now hangs in the balance, with coach Lisa Webb telling reporters she was "a ruck coach on the side" from the bench and that the club was not yet sure whether scans would be required (ABC News). The injury carries extra weight: Strom announced earlier this year that 2026 would be her final AFLW season (AFL.com.au).
The scoreboard still read well for Fremantle. They won 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35), with Gabby O'Sullivan kicking three goals. The result lifts the Dockers to a 2-2 record through four rounds of the 12-game season, enough to sit inside the top eight. Richmond, also 2-2, dropped from sixth and could finish the round as low as 13th on percentage.
Richmond went into the match without their best player. Star midfielder Monique Conti was a late withdrawal due to Achilles soreness, and the club could not confirm the severity. Fina Dethlefsen also pulled out late, while Georgia Stubs and Kate Dempsey returned to the side. In Conti's absence, youngster Isabel Bacon shouldered the midfield load, leading all comers with 24 disposals and six clearances — the statistic that measures winning the ball from a stoppage. Olivia Wolmarans kicked two goals for the Tigers.
At Kardinia Park, Geelong handed Essendon a 32-point defeat, 13.5 (83) to 7.9 (51). Aishling Moloney was the difference up forward, kicking four goals. Midfielder Mikayla Bowen ran riot with a game-high 40 disposals. Georgie Prespakis (27 disposals, five clearances) and Essendon's Maddy Prespakis (27 and five) put on a show in their own family duel.
Geelong improved to 3-1 and tightened its grip on a top-four spot. Essendon fell to 16th. A moment of ill-discipline summed up the Bombers' day: Chantal Mason gave away a free kick for a high tackle on Maggie Johnstone, who slotted the set shot after the quarter-time siren.
For Fremantle, the road ahead is clear in one sense and cloudy in another. They won the game, sit in the eight, and have a forward in O'Sullivan hitting her stride. But Strom's shoulder — and whether the 2026 retiree has played her last down — is the question the club cannot yet answer.
