Fremantle’s hopes of winning the $1 million prize for the McClelland Trophy has taken a massive hit, with the club now facing an uphill battle to make the AFLW finals and remain in contention for the huge financial windfall.

The AFL hands $1million each year to the club which has the highest combined finishing position across both the AFL and AFLW, and the Dockers were within striking distance for that award until Sunday’s loss to North Melbourne saw them drop out of the top eight with only three games remaining.

The Dockers were only two points behind McClelland Trophy leader Geelong leading into their clash against the Kangaroos but that gap grew to four points when the Cats moved into second spot following their win over GWS.

Fremantle must now qualify for the top eight and then win enough finals to advance higher up the ladder to win the million dollar prize.

Star midfielder Kiara Bowers said the players had tried to avoid putting pressure on themselves after the men’s historic season in the race for the McClelland Trophy prizemoney.

“It’s nothing that we’ve spoken about. That’s just outside noise. We’re just about winning games. It would be nice for the club for everything they’ve done for us but they just want us to win so that’s what we speak about,” she said.

“We want to win all three games to make finals and we know if we play our game, we can take it to anyone.”

The Dockers are three wins and a significant percentage behind the teams ranked from third to sixth, meaning their finals hopes rest on overtaking either Hawthorn or Sydney. Fremantle face last placed St Kilda this week but then play Geelong and Sydney in the last two games.

Sydney are two wins clear of the Dockers. The Swans have games against Collingwood (16th), West Coast (11th) before confronting Fremantle.

The Hawks are only one win ahead of Fremantle and have a slightly inferior percentage, but all of their remaining games are against teams that are outside the top eight.

Bowers believes Fremantle can take the lessons from Sunday’s game against ladder leaders North Melbourne to finish the season strongly.

“We were able to get through North Melbourne and score. We were able to take it to them,” she said.

“We had a plan and it worked sometimes. If we can take the short 45 degree kick and break the bubble to get out the back, then we were able to get through.”