A ruthless Fremantle have returned their AFLW record to 50-50 with an impressive 25-point win over Richmond — but it has come at the significant cost of dual All-Australian Mim Strom.

The Dockers, known as Walyalup during Indigenous Round, stormed to a 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) victory as they overcame the first-half loss of star ruck Strom to a shoulder injury.

But the loss of the influential Strom for any serious stretch of time going forward will be a huge blow to Fremantle’s finals hopes this season, and upon her withdrawal, Richmond won the majority of both hit-outs and clearances.

However, Fremantle did not let her absence affect them and instead relied on territory and strong set-up behind the ball to win the game, as they trapped a Richmond sans Monique Conti in their own half.

With key midfield cog Aisling McCarthy out through knee soreness, skipper Ange Stannett stepped up in midfield with 17 disposals, four inside 50s and eight tackles, while Gabby Newton worked her way into the game and collected 18 disposals, seven inside 50s and seven score involvements.

Strom had been dominant early, and even though Tigers tall Poppy Kelly won the tap battle, the Fremantle star’s follow-up work and mobility around the ground caused Richmond issues.

The 24-year-old managed four first clearances, two inside 50s and a score involvement from seven disposals in the opening term as her side won all five centre clearances in the opening quarter.

Richmond were held to just seven points across the second and third terms and by the time the fourth quarter began, Fremantle had 24 more inside 50s and 79 more forward-half possessions.

Fremantle coach Lisa Webb had wanted to see more composure going inside 50 — and she got it in spades.

Dependable veteran Gabby O’Sullivan kicked three first-half goals and her calm and poise in front of the sticks was matched by second-gamer Noa McNaughton in the third quarter.

The young gun bagged her maiden two AFLW goals, the first of which saw her expertly body Georgia Stubbs off the ball before snapping truly.

With Strom out, Webb threw former Melbourne star Eden Zanker into the ruck — and it initially worked a treat as the forward got her hands on the ball and linked up well with fellow tall options Bella Smith and Georgie Brisbane.

And the run and distribution of Orlagh Lally, Matilda Banfield, Sarah Verrier and Aiofe Healy kept possession ticking over and out of the hands of an increasingly desperate Tigers side, who found Emma O’Driscoll (10 intercepts) in their way whenever they did get forward.

Subiaco product and Richmond’s No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans gave the Dockers grief when the ball went into their forward 50 with the game’s opening goal, before earning a free-kick off Holly Egan to slot her second after half-time.

While the Tigers held the Dockers scoreless late, Fremantle were already home and hosed by that point, although they did well to hold up amidst several waves of late pressure.

SCOREBOARD

FREMANTLE 3.1 6.3 9.6 9.6 (60)

RICHMOND 2.2 2.2 3.3 5.5 (35)

Goals — FREMANTLE: G O’Sullivan 3 N McNaughton 2 H Miller S Verrier G Brisbane B Smith. RICHMOND: O Wolmarans 2 A Cleary G Stubbs S Greiser.

Best — FREMANTLE: G Newton A Stannett E Zanker G O’Sullivan E O’Driscoll O Lally. RICHMOND: I Bacon L Graham O Wolmarans D East R Miller.

Injuries – FREMANTLE: M Strom (shoulder).

Umpires: S Nippress S Vanderschoot J Antulov. Crowd: TBC at Ikon Park.