AFLW breaks new ground with record crowd

A record crowd was on hand to watch Fremantle beat Collingwood in Saturday's AFLW clash at Perth's Optus Stadium.

The Dockers run onto Optus Stadium to play the Magpies

AFLW fans were out in force at Perth's Optus Stadium to watch the Dockers play the Magpies. (AAP)

Players and coaches from both sides paid tribute to AFLW fans after a record-breaking crowd turned out to watch Fremantle's clash with Collingwood at Perth's Optus Stadium.

A bumper crowd of 41,975 watched the Dockers beat the Pies by 13 points in a fiery clash on Saturday.

In the lead up to the match 54,000 tickets were sold at $2 each, but more than 12,000 people didn't show up to the new $1.5 billion stadium.

There were still enough to smash the previous crowd record for an AFLW match - the 24,500 who watched last season's opener between Carlton and Collingwood at Ikon Park.

And the record for a stand alone women's domestic game in Australia was also broken.

That obscure record was set in 1929, when 41,000 fans attended an exhibition game at Adelaide Oval between employees from a department store and a pyjama factory.

Fremantle coach Michelle Cowan was more intent on righting the ship after her side's season-opening loss to the Western Bulldogs.

She was delighted at how well her players were able to deal with the expectation.

"For them to stay focused on the play was really good," Cowan said.

"No doubt the occasion is an incredible (one) and a really special day for our football club and women's sport on the whole.

"I think it's a really special day. Wonderful that our supporters and the WA community came out and supported because they just made history.

"It was amazing, certainly in that fourth quarter.

"The chant of 'Freo' when that went up, it was a really special occasion and no doubt a memorable one for everyone that played and everyone that was here."

The visiting Magpies kept the crowd quiet early with the opening two goals of the match before Fremantle clicked into gear.

Collingwood slipped to 0-2 with the loss, but two-goal star Christina Bernardi was still able to appreciate being a part of history.

"It was pretty cool to have all of those spectators out there," Bernardi said.

"We've had a lot of preparation in dealing with large crowds so we were able to focus on the game and not too much on the crowd.

"They were definitely loud when Freo kicked a goal but it was a good experience."


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Source: AAP



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