Mim Strom, an All-Australian ruck player for Fremantle's AFLW team, was forced to play as a ruck coach after injuring her shoulder in the first quarter of a game against Richmond. Despite being injured, the Dockers went on to win by 25 points with help from players such as Gabby O'Sullivan, who kicked three goals. This was Fremantle's second win of the season and puts them in contention for a top-eight spot in the competition. The team is bracing for the possibility that Strom may miss part of their finals push due to her injury.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Fremantle Mim Strom, a two-time All-Australian ruck player and star of the AFLW team, was forced to play a different role after injuring her shoulder in the first quarter of a match against Richmond. The injury left her unable to participate on the field, so she took on the job of coaching the ruck from the bench. Despite this setback, Fremantle's team, led by coach Lisa Webb, went on to win the game by 25 points (9.6 to 5.5). In another AFLW match, Geelong defeated Essendon with a score of 13.5 to 7.9. The injuries sustained by Mim Strom may impact Fremantle's chances in their finals push, as they are currently at risk of losing her for part of the competition.
Written for “AFL Women's Ruck Coaching” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 5259 · logged 2026-09-06
In short:
Fremantle's All-Australian star Mim Strom has pitched in as a ruck coach to help her side defeat Richmond.
asserted
side → pitch → Richmond
Strom came off the field in the first quarter of Fremantle's 25-point win after hurting her shoulder.
asserted
Strom → come → shoulder
Elsewhere in the AFLW, Geelong comfortably defeated Essendon while Carlton downed Collingwood.
asserted
Carlton → defeat → Collingwood
Injured AFLW powerhouse Mim Strom was forced to play ruck coach on the bench as the Dockers steamrolled a Monique Conti-less Richmond by 25 points on the road.
asserted
Dockers → force → road
Recruit Eden Zanker was first cab off the rank in the ruck, while Gabby O'Sullivan kicked three goals to help lift the Dockers to a 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) win in Indigenous Round.
asserted
O'Sullivan → kick → Round
Later on Sunday, Aishling Moloney finished with four goals as Geelong posted a 13.5 (83) to 7.9 (51) result to pile the misery on a winless Essendon at Kardinia Park.
asserted
Geelong → finish → Park
Lisa Webb's Dockers (2-2) can finish the fourth week of the 12-fixture competition in the top eight, but are bracing to lose Strom for part of their finals push.
asserted
Dockers → finish → push
Before Sunday, Strom had played 78 consecutive matches since making her debut in 2020.
asserted
Strom → play → 2020
"She's been on the bench with a big smile, so she's hard to get a read on, but I'll get a medical update," coach Webb told Seven Plus at three-quarter time.
"She's been a ruck coach on the side.
asserted
She → get → side
She's been a warrior for us, and we'll look after her.
asserted
we → look → her
"
Richmond, which, like Fremantle, has not reached finals since 2024, drop from sixth and could finish as low as 13th with a 2-2 record.
uncertain
which → reach → record
The Tigers are unsure of how serious Conti's injury is, with the 2023 league best-and-fairest managing Achilles soreness.
asserted
league → manage → soreness
The five-time All-Australian midfielder was a late withdrawal alongside Fina Dethlefsen, with recruit Georgia Stubs and Kate Dempsey returning to the side.
asserted
Stubs → return → side
Youngster Isabel Bacon (24 disposals, six clearances) led the game in Conti's absence, and Olivia Wolmarans kicked two goals.
asserted
Wolmarans → lead → goals
The Dockers took the early advantage after three lead changes in the opening quarter, pipping the Tigers by five points thanks to a goal from O'Sullivan.
asserted
Dockers → take → O'Sullivan
Strom's absence did little to sap Fremantle's momentum, with O'Sullivan piling on back-to-back goals as the hosts were kept scoreless in the second term.
asserted
hosts → do → term
It was much the same after half-time, with the Dockers maintaining a perfect record against the Tigers across four meetings since season six in 2022.
asserted
Dockers → maintain → 2022
At Kardinia Park, scores were level at 1.1 (7) for much of the first quarter before Chantal Mason gave away a free kick for a high tackle on Maggie Johnstone in Essendon's forward-50.
asserted
Mason → give → forward-50
Johnstone converted after the quarter-time siren for a six-point lead, but the Bombers' ascendancy did not last long after Moloney came to life.
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Moloney → convert → life
The star Irishwoman kicked four of Geelong's six goals in the second term, while the visitors managed just two to trail by 18 points.
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visitors → kick → points
Geelong improved its record to 3-1 to tighten its grip on a top-four spot, leaving Essendon languishing in 16th.
asserted
Geelong → improve → 16th
Mikayla Bowen had a monster 40 disposals, while Cats star Georgie Prespakis matched older sister and Essendon veteran Maddy with 27 disposals and five clearances.
asserted
Prespakis → have → disposals